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After breakup – do you keep the ring – or give it back?

After breakup – do you keep the ring – or give it back?

NFL star, Mario Williams, and ex in ugly legal battle over $785k ring. What’s the right thing to do?

As a relationship coach, it’s definitely not my job to muck-rake or publicly weigh in on celebrity disputes when I don’t even know the people involved. It is my job, however, to look for “teachable moments” and try to provide value to people that will help create more conscious, loving and productive relationships. This is one of those moments. Also bear in mind, this is a relationship forum. I am not qualified, nor interested, in giving legal advice here.

How To Stop Sweeping Things Under The Rug

How To Stop Sweeping Things Under The Rug

Why men and women really sweep stuff under the rug. It's time for communication spring cleaning!

May 3 is National Lumpy Rug Day which is basically means it' time to do some spring cleaning and get rid of a lot of your junk. Literally, the lumps in the rug usually come from the furniture that has been sitting around in the same place for ages but in close relationships, those lumps come from sweeping things under the rug.

Mastering Communication  Secret #7 Celebrate Your Authentic Self

Mastering Communication Secret #7 Celebrate Your Authentic Self

Celebrating your authentic self is essential for conflict resolution communication mastery.

Welcome To The Last Secret in 7 Secrets To Mastering Communication SECRET #7 - CELEBRATE YOU! Are you one of those people-pleasing women who puts everyone first? Do you have trouble carving out time for yourself? Maybe deep down you're wondering why others seem to shine and feel like something is terribly lacking in your life.

7 Secrets To Mastering Communication  Secret #6 Collaborate

7 Secrets To Mastering Communication Secret #6 Collaborate

Improve your conflict resolution skills by learning how to collaborate without resentment and blame.

Welcome back to 7 Secrets To Mastering Communication! SECRET #6 - COLLABORATE “The secret is to gang up on the problem, rather than each other.” ~Thomas Stallkamp Change. Do you thrive on it or relish the status quo?

What to Say and How to Say It: A Conflict Model That Works!

What to Say and How to Say It: A Conflict Model That Works!

Here is a two-step process for successfully resolving conflict between two people

As I have mentioned before in this series (The Eight Simple Rules to Managing Conflict), the biggest key to effectively resolving conflict is preparation. When we have time to prepare we do much better in resolving conflict than when it is thrust upon us and all we can do is react. When I mediate conflicts, I include a preparation and coaching phase with both parties individually before I ever bring them together. This added phase is critical to a successful mediation, resulting in both parties being prepared, goal-focused, and ready for resolution.

Boundaries: From Fear or Love?

Boundaries: From Fear or Love?

Boundaries are important, but when they come from fear, they are controlling rather than loving.

We know that one very important aspect of taking loving care of ourselves is to set loving boundaries for ourselves. Whether or not a boundary is loving depends upon which aspect of you is setting the boundary — your ego wounded self or your loving Adult.

Set Yourself Up For Success In Conflict

Set Yourself Up For Success In Conflict

There are two aspects to every conflict..."how" you do conflict and "what" the conflict is about.

There are two components to every argument/conflict…the conflicting issue (the “what”) and the interpersonal dynamics during the conflict (the “how”). Guess which one is most important? That’s right, the “how.” Very simply, how you do conflict will directly impact the outcome of the conflict itself. If you are kind, respectful, constructively assertive and focused on win-win outcomes, you’ll get one kind of results.

Always Ask for What You Need!

Always Ask for What You Need!

You wouldn't be in a conflict if an underlying need wasn't being met. Ask for what you need!

I had a love-hate relationship with my old boss. The love part was my incredible respect for this former Olympic gold medalist turned CEO of one of the leading professional development companies in the world. He was one of those people who could make an audience laugh, cry, and get inspired—all at the same time. People always came up to me after one of Terry’s amazing speeches to say how lucky I was to work for this man. I’d smile and say, “I sure am”, knowing I was lying through my teeth.

The Martial Art Of Listening

The Martial Art Of Listening

We already have the ability to diffuse an argument. It's the ability to listen and understand.

“I need a volunteer…Greg?” Wow, that was more like telling than asking, I thought. “Sure Ron, I’d be glad to volunteer.” Ron asked me to stand in front of the group as he approached. I knew he picked me for a reason but wasn’t quite sure why…that is until his hands hit my chest with such force that I stumbled back a couple of steps. “What are you doing?” I yelled, trying to regain my composure.

Take The Initiative

Take The Initiative

Conflict is not about who's right or wrong. If it's bothering us, then it is ours to resolve.

…In the event of a loss of cabin pressure, an oxygen mask will drop from above. Tighten the mask by pulling on the straps like this. If you are traveling with a child, place your mask on first before assisting them... Whenever I hear that part of the flight attendant’s pre-flight spiel, I always smile. I smile because my gut instinct would be to place the mask on a child first—had I not repetitively heard that directive. But I get the idea—save yourself so you can save others!