Category Archives: Collaboration

Seven Steps to Handling Interpersonal Differences

Keys to Negotiating with Power and Grace By Daniel Robin Make no mistake: resolving differences through negotiation is not a logical, linear process. However, this model can serve as a framework for staying on track and learning how and where things go wrong. These seven steps progress from how you might want to begin an effort to resolve differences to how you'd want to complete that effort. Continue Reading ...

The Dynamics of Non-Adversarial Negotiation

By Daniel Robin Joe had done his homework: "I propose that we put 25% of our training budget to work on giving people listening skills and that we postpone the management training course we've been considering." Joe had worked out a detailed set of arguments about why his was the right direction. As usual, his manager saw it differently: truth was, everyone knew how Continue Reading ...

When to Engage, When not to Engage

by Daniel Robin Ever notice that with some people you can sit and rationally discuss how differently you see things, and nobody gets hurt? It might even be fun! Yet, with others, particularly those closest to us, the small stuff quickly becomes big stuff. What makes the difference? When you think back on the successful disagreements you've had in your life (you know, the ones that ended without Continue Reading ...

Helping the Emergence of Co-operative Work

By Daniel Robin Whether you're a group manager or executive, member of a dedicated work team, or an entrepreneur out on your own, you've probably noticed an increased reliance on collaboration and co-operation to get things done. The days of the lone wolf or the aggressive, cut-throat bully are over. Effective managers have realized that treating people as mere factors of production isn't very Continue Reading ...

Recognition and Accountability in the New Workplace

By Daniel Robin "Don’t we have to send out surveys to test the waters before determining an advertising budget?" the new boss asks. "Nah, the Web isn’t like that. And since when are you an expert in marketing?" the marketing manager asked her boss. "That’s why you’re here, alright. To keep me in line. And if my business degree means anything, it’ll come in handy to help you measure the Continue Reading ...

Organizational Pathways: Part 1

Waging Peace in the Workplace By Daniel Robin With the increase in work force diversity, emphasis on teams, and the new-world-disorder -- also known as chaos -- sooner or later, we all get into conflicts that just don't resolve, even with a Ph.D. in active listening mode. Calmly sitting down to "talk about it" can be frustrating when there are hidden agendas, turf wars, or fear patterns in the Continue Reading ...

Four Pillars of Agreements

In order for people to honor agreements in ways that get the desired result, the following four conditions must be met. If any one of these factors miss the mark, chances are good that something will go wrong. Clarity: clear about the goal and the complete set of "conditions of satisfaction" (values, criteria, expectations) Commitment: Solid "yes" representing Continue Reading ...