In today’s diverse and dynamic work environments, fostering a culture of respect and civility is paramount. An organizational ombuds plays a crucial role in promoting workplace civility by providing a confidential, neutral, and informal resource for employees to voice concerns, resolve conflicts, and navigate challenges. The ombuds assists employees and managers in addressing workplace issues […]
How the Ombuds Promotes Civility Read More »
Disagreements are a natural and necessary part of a robust workplace environment. When handled properly, they lead to innovation, improved decision-making, and stronger team dynamics. However, not all workplace conflicts are productive. There is a crucial difference between constructive disagreement and toxic behavior, such as workplace bullying and incivility. Recognizing these distinctions and knowing how
Workplace Bullying and Incivility: How to Handle Disagreement Read More »
Leadership excellence heavily relies on self-awareness and emotional intelligence. These form the bedrock upon which effective leadership is built, influencing how leaders perceive themselves, interact with others, and navigate the complexities of organizational dynamics. Self-awareness involves a deep understanding of one’s emotions, strengths, weaknesses, values, and the impact all of these have on others. Leaders
Leadership Self-Awareness and Emotional Intelligence Read More »
In today’s workplaces, fostering open communication, collaboration, and trust is essential for organizational success. Restorative practices are structured approaches designed to build relationships, resolve conflicts, and create a culture of accountability and mutual respect. These practices encourage equitable engagement, active listening, and curiosity, making them powerful tools for team development, conflict resolution, and change management.
Restorative Practices Read More »
Schools are increasingly facing toxic polarization between students and even among staff. Individuals are struggling to have their voices heard in productive ways, leading to conflict escalations and tensions in the classrooms and beyond. Teens and young adults are especially at a loss for how to effectively navigate through a sensitive conversation with poise, self-awareness,
Mediation skills equip leaders, executives, managers and staff with the essential knowledge and techniques required to effectively mediate conflicts and facilitate resolution processes. Participants are introduced to the theory, principles, and practical applications of mediation in various workplace contexts, emphasizing how interpersonal dynamics play a role in conflict escalation and resolution. The Harmony Strategies mediation
For two years in a row, Samantha was passed up for what she thought was a well-deserved promotion, while others with seemingly less experience and qualifications were moving ahead at her company. Samantha was confused and tried to speak to her manager about the situation, but she found the conversation unhelpful and even belittling. As
Your Business’ Best Kept Secret: The Ombuds Read More »
This workshop is designed to help teams and leaders enhance productivity, communication, and overall workplace harmony. Through interactive exercises and expert facilitation, we guide participants in identifying structural inefficiencies, improving decision-making processes, and fostering a culture of collaboration and resilience. This workshop is ideal for organizations seeking to optimize workflows, align teams with their mission,
Organizational Effectiveness Read More »
Join the Harmony Strategies Group for an introductory session that provides a basic overview of conflict management skills for managers and leaders. We review common pitfalls, traits that build and maintain collaborative teams, and why and how to engage a dedicated conflict management expert as a company-wide resource.
Conflict Management 101: What Senior Leaders Need to Know Read More »
Many companies and organizations are making conscious efforts to further integration of individuals of different backgrounds, ethnicities, and cultures into collaborative projects and processes. It’s equally important for these organizations to have an open and welcoming culture that ensures that all voices are appreciated and can thrive. A truly inclusive workplace is one where employees
Miscommunication in the workplace can cripple productivity and stifle innovation. Interpersonal dialogue can be misinterpreted, causing tension, stress, and depressive workplace environments. This workshop highlights best practices for effective and fluid communication across and among teams. Whether the communication is written or verbal, aggressive or passive, we hone in on the subtleties that make communication
Effective Communication Read More »
There are a variety of roles that are key to effective teams. Some individuals will take on leadership roles and others appreciate supporting from behind-the-scenes. This program focuses on the individual within the group and how groups behave. Emphasis is placed on team building, motivation, and dealing with conflict and stressors. Participants learn about different
Workplace Collaboration Read More »
We all rely on our perceptions, experiences, and interpretations to define our values, beliefs, and behaviors. But often we are unaware of the filters that exist in our minds and how these filters can work against our best interests. Unconscious bias affects our friendships and relationships, and they also play out in recruitment, promotions, performance
Stress and anxiety are real challenges in today’s professional workplace. Stress can be a toxic internal pollutant that is distracting and upsetting, yet it also can be a driver for bold and beneficial action, when handled and managed appropriately. In this workshop, we identify and evaluate internal sources and forces of stress, creating a rich awareness
Effective managers are those who have solid self-awareness and sensitivity to the emotional health of their teams. This workshop provides an overview of what Emotional IQ means, exercises to deepen self-awareness, and practical guidelines for connecting with your staff and teams. This workshop guides managers to: Explore emotional triggers and how they are expressed Consider
Emotional Intelligence Read More »
At its core, embracing diversity is about cultural awareness and sensitivity. It is the ability to interact effectively with individuals of varying backgrounds, races, religions, genders, and more. It also lays the groundwork for productivity and healthy collaboration, through building trust and understanding, both internally and in client-facing interactions. Externally, cultural diversity allows businesses and
Culture & Diversity Read More »
All workplace environments include some level of conflict, yet few staff, managers and leaders are clear about how to de-escalate and handle it effectively. This workshop discusses common conflict eruptors and stimulants, along with popular responses and the benefits and drawbacks of each method of address. The program also explores pitfalls and skills necessary to
De-Escalation and Avoiding Harm Read More »
One of the key traits of a strategic conflict expert — like an Ombuds, mediator, or conflict coach — is contrarian thinking. I specialize in noticing what my clients missed, considering alternative approaches, and bringing to light different perspectives. When a client says “she’s acting this way,” I immediately question “what if she could act that way?” or if
Hey, it’s Kira the Conflict Coach, with a 2-Minute Conflict Coaching Soundbite. Today I’m talking about one thing that you can do when you’re feeling very tense and stressed out, due to a lot of change or crisis going on in your life. See, oftentimes when there is a lot of change or you’re
For the past few weeks, and increasingly over the past few days, Mary Ellen* hasn’t been able to get much work done. She’s been irritable, edgy, and has a growing sense of panic. She can’t seem to focus — her mind is racing in ways that are uncomfortable. And the more she thinks about her
Coronavirus & Conflict: When Anxiety Leads to Outbursts Read More »
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Kimberly Jackson Davidson is currently the University Ombudsperson at George Mason University and member of the Harmony Strategies Group. She spent two decades at Oberlin College in Ohio, holding positions in the Office of the Dean of Students and as Visiting Lecturer in African American Studies. During her final five and a half years there, she served all campus constituencies as Ombudsperson and Director of the Yeworkwha Belachew Center for Dialogue (YBCD). Davidson is active within the International Ombuds Association (IOA), the California Caucus of College and University Ombuds (CCCUO), and the Ombuds Section of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). She earned a B.A. in English Literature from Spelman College in 1986 and an M.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in African Literature in 1991.
Hector Escalante is an experienced Ombuds and learning and development professional with over seven years of ombuds experience and over twenty years of experience developing and teaching course offerings which promote inclusion, healthy communication, and conflict resolution. He is the Director of the Ombuds Office at the University of California, Merced, having served many years as the organizational ombuds at the University of the Pacific. He is an ombuds partner with Harmony Strategies Group, and a consulting ombuds for Earthjustice and Union of Concerned Scientists. Hector holds two master’s degrees and a doctorate in education. He is a United States Marine Corps veteran, a husband and father to four children. Hector’s passions include treating all with fairness, equity, dignity, and compassion and good food.
Kira Nurieli is the CEO of the Harmony Strategies Group and is an expert mediator, conflict coach, trainer/facilitator, consultant, and restorative practices facilitator. She has spent upwards of twenty years helping clients handle conflict and improve communication strategies and has presented at numerous conferences and symposia as a subject matter expert. She holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s degree in Comparative Performance from Barnard College. She especially enjoys helping individuals, teams, and lay-leaders become more impactful and empowered in their work and is honored to work alongside her esteemed colleagues with the Harmony Strategies Group.
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Drop us a line for a FREE 15 minute consultation to help you handle your conflict or challenge!
Glad to help you out – please fill in the form below, so we can get started!
