by James Dykeman | Feb 16, 2026 | Blog, Top
It often begins in a quiet place. A kitchen after everyone has gone to bed, the low hum of an appliance, a phone screen glowing with a message that lands harder than it should. The words are ordinary, even familiar, yet something inside tightens and starts assembling...
by James Dykeman | Jan 9, 2026 | Blog, Top
As we step into 2026, many of us in the conflict resolution field find ourselves pausing to reflect. It’s a natural moment to assess how we want to grow, how we want to work, and what kind of support we need to continue doing this work in a sustainable and fulfilling...
by James Dykeman | Oct 9, 2025 | Blog, Impact 1, Top
Every attorney has a story of why they chose law. For many, it began with a desire to help people, to be a steady hand in moments of uncertainty, to navigate complexity, and to stand with others when the stakes were high. But over time, the daily demands of practice,...
by James Dykeman | Sep 18, 2025 | Blog, Top
In mediation, especially within the understanding-based approach, practice and feedback are not optional enhancements – they are essential elements of developing real skill. The mediator’s work requires more than theoretical knowledge or professional intention....
by James Dykeman | Sep 11, 2025 | Blog, Book Review, Top
Ian Renaud’s Resolving from Within is a thoughtful and accessible contribution to the growing body of work on internal transformation as a foundation for resolving external disputes. For those familiar with the understanding-based approach to conflict resolution and...
by James Dykeman | Aug 14, 2025 | Blog, Top, workplace
There’s a moment in many work relationships when tension begins to surface. A project slows down because team members are no longer aligned. A conversation lingers long after it ends, filled with the weight of something unsaid. A once-strong collaboration begins to...
by James Dykeman | Jul 10, 2025 | Blog, Top
For many people called to mediation and conflict resolution, the journey begins with a question: How can I support people in pain, confusion, or disagreement in finding a way forward that honors their humanity? It’s not about fixing others or offering quick...
by James Dykeman | Jun 17, 2025 | Blog, Uncategorized
Not long ago, conflict resolution lived mostly in courtrooms. When problems flared – in business deals, families, or neighborhood disputes – the default response was often legal action. Mediation emerged as a quieter alternative, inviting people to sit down, talk, and...
by James Dykeman | Jun 5, 2025 | Blog, Book Review, Top
Jay Rothman’s Resolving Identity-Based Conflict in Nations, Organizations, and Communities offers a deeply thoughtful and human-centered exploration of conflict rooted in identity. For practitioners of the understanding-based approach, this book is both familiar and...
by James Dykeman | May 29, 2025 | Blog, Top
In the field of conflict resolution, where the work is deeply human and often solitary, it is easy to become untethered from the very qualities that first drew us to it. We are trained to listen carefully, to remain grounded in difficult moments, to create a space...
