Conflict Dynamics

Blog and Opinions

The art of having difficult conversations over the holiday season

26 November 2023

Siham Boda

This article explores the art of having difficult conversations over the holiday season, providing practical tips on how to handle them confidently. It emphasises the importance of such conversations in addressing conflicts, fostering personal growth, improving relationships, and enhancing group dynamics.

Reflections on civil and commercial mediation in the United Kingdom and South Africa

21 November 2023

Felicity Steadman

I have worked as a mediator in South Africa (SA) for 35 years and in the United Kingdom (UK) for 20 of those years. Over this period, the use of mediation in civil and commercial disputes in the UK grew from approximately 2,500 mediations in 2003 to approximately 17,000 mediations in 2022. Why is this?

Reflections on 2023 and Aspirations for 2024

15 November 2023

Felicity Steadman

Siham Boda

Conflict Dynamics was established in 1996 in the optimistic post-apartheid years to provide pragmatic skills development services, initially to the CCMA, and then to employers and employees. These services were mainly in relation to training in the fields of industrial relations and mediation.

Navigating Difficult Conversations in the Workplace

02 October 2023

Siham Boda

In the fast-paced environment of the modern workplace, effective communication is paramount. However, not all workplace conversations are easy and smooth. In this article, we will explore the art of having difficult conversations in the workplace and provide practical tips on how to handle them confidently.

Key negotiation skills for collective bargaining

02 August 2023

Felicity Steadman

John Brand

The collective bargaining season, often referred to as ‘strike season’ because of the high incidence of strike action which accompanies it, is once again upon us.

Disciplinary Hearings - the Importance of Getting it Right

20 June 2023

Vanessa Botha

Why would an employer dedicate the time, effort, and multiple resources required to hold a workplace disciplinary hearing? There is only one logical and valid response to this question – that the employer believes that an employee has committed such serious misconduct that it could warrant bringing the employment relationship to an end, the most serious of disciplinary sanctions.

Back to Basics - Managing Workplace Discipline

19 June 2023

Ingrid Lewin

Ingrid Lewin reminds us of the basic requirements for fairness in managing discipline in the workplace.

How to effectively prepare for a national coalition pact – go slow to go fast

10 May 2023

John Brand

Coalition negotiations are vitally important for the future of South Africa and, fortunately, coalition parties still have enough time to embark on the detailed work that is required to fashion a successful national coalition pact.

The Use of Facilitation For Conflict Management and Dispute Prevention

24 April 2023

Felicity Steadman

Vanessa Botha

You are no doubt aware of the use of the mediation and arbitration processes for dispute resolution, but is there a process that one can use for managing conflict effectively so as to prevent formal disputes from arising in the first place? Facilitation is one such process.

How to effectively upskill South African coalition negotiators

18 April 2023

John Brand

Being better equipped is in all of the political parties’ interests and ultimately to the benefit of the broader society.

Key lessons from a lifetime in conflict resolution

23 February 2023

John Brand

One is not automatically a qualified dispute resolver simply because one is a judge or magistrate, a lawyer, a psychologist, an engineer, an accountant, or any other expert or professional.

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