Photo by Krys Amon on Unsplash Graphic by Lorraine Segal What is the Rashomon Effect? And how can it help with Conflict? In my twenties, I got hooked on old Japanese Samurai movies and watched many cinema classics. The one that made the biggest impression, so that it haunted me decades later, was called Rashomon. […]

Photo by Baran Lotfollahi on Unsplash Is conflict transformation a Hero’s Journey? Last week I attended a beautiful workshop on the Hero’s Journey, offered by Stella Orange and Rebecca Liston of Las Peregrinas. Their approach is based in part on Joseph Campbell’s, and they apply it primarily to business and marketing. Listening to their eloquent […]

Photo by David Marcu on Unsplash Reflections: How did you do this year with conflict and courage? I’ve been reflecting on 2022 and the courage my clients and I have shown in dealing with conflict, inner and outer. As those of you who have been reading my blog for a while know, I write a […]

Photo by Afif Ramdhasuma on Unsplash Are you using blamespeak in difficult conversations? I heard someone use the term “blamespeak” recently and thought it was a very evocative succinct way to express what happens in many conflicts. Something goes wrong in communication, people feel attacked or discounted, and instead of listening or assuming good intention […]

Photo by Julien L on Unsplash added words by L.Segal Misunderstandings and assumptions about what another person means, or what the word they use means, can really fuel conflicts. I’ve written a lot about this in terms of intercultural miscommunications and bias, but it can happen when there are no obvious cultural differences as well. […]