Conflict Managed

Mindfulness

Are you tired of reacting to work situations in a manner you regret? How do you become the person you want to be in your organization, in both good and bad times?
Today on Conflict Managed, Jonathan Rodrigues encourages us to be mindful. When you practice mindfulness, you develop the habits of acting in line with your values and reflecting over events, intentionally evaluating what went well and what you’d like to change. Jonathan also talks about the importance of educating and empowering people to know of the ‘multiple doors’ available to them when they find themselves caught in a conflict. Though a seasoned mediator, Jonathan tells us of a difficult work conflict he experienced with three other mediators (all of us encounter destructive conflict!) and reflects on what could have turned that situation around.
Jonathan Rodrigues leads the Institute of Organisational Dynamics, which is a membership think-tank of The TCM Group. He is a trained and certified mediator, who has spent the last half-a-dozen years building momentum and capacity for the Mediation movement in India. He graduated from the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow - Scotland, where he completed his masters degree in Mediation and Conflict Resolution. 
You can find Jonathan online:
Email: jonathan.rodrigues@organisationaldynamics.org
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jonarod
You can listen to Jonathan’s TEDx Talk here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cuc1OLtxb3E
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Listen to Your Employees

On a scale from 1 to 10, how much do you feel listened to at work? Have you ever left an organization because you felt unvalued?
Today on Conflict Managed, we are joined by experienced welder Jeremy McKeel. Listen as he recounts contrasts his experience of working in a demoralizing environment that was rigid, lacking in empathy, and did not listen to employee ideas as opposed to the workplace he finds himself now where he is encouraged and expected to speak up with new ideas and safety concerns. Jeremy tells us what it is like to work in a caring environment, a productive way to approach inevitable employee mistakes, and his vision for the future of workplaces where people decide to create an environment where a conscious decision is made to work together for the good of each other and the organization.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Challenges of a Working Mother

How do we free people to be their brilliant selves at work? For one, we need to make sure their most pressing needs are addressed. For working parents of young children, foremost on the mind is quality (and affordable) daycare. Have you encountered issues with daycare?
Today on Conflict Managed, Marsh Naidoo talks to us of her journey (so far) of being a working mom raising a child with special needs. She is the founder and host of RaisingKellan, a podcast to empower and educate parents raising children with disabilities and developmental delays.  Listen as Marsh recounts a wonderful work environment she calls the “golden moment,” and the importance of being transparent with workers about pay and career pathways within organizations.
Marsh Naidoo is a physical therapist with 25 years of experience. She is a graduate of the University of KwaZulu (South Africa) and was recruited as a travel physical therapist to the US in 1997 where she worked in a variety of clinical settings. She is a board member of Healing Horses, Inc. A PATH-certified therapeutic horsemanship center in Dyersburg, Tennessee, member of the American Physical Therapy Association and the American Business Women's Association. 
In March 2020 Marsh founded Teletherapy Services, a hybrid boutique physical therapy service that offers in-person or virtual care.
Marsh Founded Raising Kellan, Inc, a nonprofit that provides a digital platform to empower and educate parents raising children with developmental delays or disabilities http://www.raisingkellan.org. She is the author of the book: "What I Wish I Knew Back Then."
You can find Marsh Naidoo online at https://www.facebook.com/raisingkellan.org
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Other Colleagues’ Conflicts

Have you ever been caught in the middle of other people’s conflicts? You are not feuding with anyone, but the people in your office are stuck in an unmanaged conflict and it is making your work environment unnecessarily difficult?
Today on Conflict Managed, we talk with Bryan Wolski, who works in cybersecurity. Bryan recalls a situation where he got along with his colleagues, but his colleagues did not get along with each other. Listen as he recounts the strategy he employed to deal with this difficult (and all too common) situation and reflects on whether it was successful. Bryan also tells us about his best work experiences where he developed professionally and had the most fun. He shares his insight, gathered from 15 years of experience, as to what is an essential ingredient of remote work.
Bryan leaves us with the great reminder to “humanize” our colleagues. When you start to “other” them, we can make excuses for treating them as less than. Resist that temptation, and instead see the humanity in your colleagues and act with empathy.
Bryan Wolski is currently a Sales Enablement Lead for a cybersecurity startup. His path included being a Systems Engineer at three different IT and Security manufacturers, a salesperson in 3 different industries, a professional musician, and many of the jobs you find in a restaurant. Bryan doesn’t have a college degree, so he had to self-study and get on-the-job training for advancement and to convince hiring managers to take a chance on him.
You can find Bryan Wolski online at:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-wolski/ 
Twitter: @bryanwolski 
Facebook (Music): https://www.facebook.com/PastMusicCity 
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

If You’re Not Making Mistakes, You’re Not Making Decisions

What’s the last mistake you made? What were the consequences and what did you learn?
On this episode of Conflict Managed, we are joined by Ayile’ Arnett, founder and CEO of Communiride. Listen in as Ayile’ offers insights of what to do (and avoid) when starting a business, what it looks like to be mission minded, the power of networking and surrounding yourself with people who are smarter than you to grow professionally, and the important reminder that you don’t know how many people are waiting on you to be great. We are also treated to a beautiful example of compassion in action as Ayile’ recounts a moving story of one of her mentors.
Ayile' is a serial entrepreneur, volunteer, wife, mom of four kids, and a passionate disruptor who believes in optimal outcomes for small businesses seeking quality shipping services. She does it all – from running her last-mile logistics company to supporting community efforts to increase investment in the same neighborhood 81% of her employees live in.
 You can find Ayile’ Arnett on LinkedIn or email her at ayile@communiride.com
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Prepared, Available, and Ready for Opportunity

Do you ever feel stuck in your career? Have you prepared yourself to be able to see the opportunities around you?
Today on Conflict Managed we are joined by Judy Long, President and Chief Operating Officer of First Citizens National Bank, representing 25 Tennessee locations and $2.4 billion in assets.  Judy has been a part of the FirstCNB team since 1974, with 48 years of service to her bank, community and industry. Listen as Judy talks about the power of mentors, confidence, and strong support systems. She encourages us to do work that is “beneficial for all concerned,” commit to long-term goals, to consider the difference in attitude between thinking of what you do at work as either a job or a career, and to hold conversations about mistakes and conflicts with (preferably) open minds. Judy ends our conversation discussing the impactful work of the “Smart Women” program and her vision for healthy work environments.  
Judy Long holds a Bachelor of Science from Union University, Jackson, TN with a major in Finance and is a graduate of MidSouth School of Banking, the School for Bank Administration and BAI Graduate School of Bank Operations and Technology.  Judy has served on numerous boards, both locally and nationally.  Her most recent service is American Bankers Association Community Bank Advisory Board representing Tennessee Banks; CEO Strategic Planning Advisory Council for Fidelity National Information Systems, Inc.; Foundation Board of Dyersburg State Community College; COVID-19 Community Advisory Council; Chairperson for Dyersburg State Community College “Legacy for Learning” campaign; and Foundation Board for West Tennessee Healthcare.  She served more than 20 years on the Southern Financial Exchange Regional Payments Board, serving as chairman of the board, among other official offices.  She completed service on the NACHA (National ACH Association) board representing banks in the Southeast Region of the U.S.  Judy is an advocate of Tennessee Bankers Association and has served on many committees.
Long has received numerous honors throughout her career. She has been recognized as Dyersburg Dyer County Distinguished Woman of the Year, Girl Scouts Heart of the South Woman of Distinction, and as one of the Top 20 Women in West Tennessee as a recipient of the Sterling Award. She has been recognized as American Business Women’s Association Woman of the Year and the National Star Award for her service as the National Ways and Means Chairperson. She has been named a Paul Harris Fellow by her Rotary Club and was named “Benefactor” by the Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. Her service to Dyersburg State Community College was acknowledged with the Outstanding Alumni Award.
Long, a strong advocate for financial education for women, spearheaded “Smart Women”, a financial literacy program designed to educate and empower women to feel confident making difficult financial decisions. The program has educated thousands of women across Tennessee through both live and virtual events. Visit www.FirstCNB.com/SmartWomen to learn more about this program.
Judy and her husband Roger reside in Dyer County, Tennessee.  They have been married for 48 years.  Roger is the owner/operator of Long Farms Partners, LLC.
There are many ways to reach out to Judy Long online:
Twitter: @judylong64 and @FirstCNB
Facebook: @judy.long.7315 and @FirstCNB
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/judy-long-1a289913 and @FirstCNB
Instagram: @judylong54 and @FirstCNB         
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Openminded Leadership

With so many contentious issues pulling people in different directions, how should organizations respond? What are leaders to do?
Today on Conflict Managed we are joined by Scott Williams, president and CEO of Discovery Park of America in Union City, Tennessee. He talks of his early work experiences where leaders corrected and guided him, thinking of job interviews as an actual dialogue to see if you are a good fit for them and if they are a good fit for you, the wisdom of David Crockett for the workforce today, and the belief that diversity is a strength, even in our tough and divisive political landscape.
Scott Williams has served as president and COO of the Newseum in Washington, D.C. as well as a variety of positions at several advertising agencies and other organizations, including ServiceMaster, Inc., Baptist Memorial Health Care, and Elvis Presley Enterprises, Inc. Williams earned his degree in journalism from the University of Memphis.Scott served on the board of the D.C. chapter of the American Advertising Federation and on the board of the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. He is currently on the Tennessee Tourism Committee of the Department of Tourist Development for the State of Tennessee, the boards of the Obion County Chamber of Commerce and Hospitality Tennessee, the advisory board of the UTM College of Business and Global Affairs and the Northwest Tennessee Arts Center Advisory Board.
Scott is the host of “Reelfoot Forward: A West Tennessee Podcast,” a podcast that celebrates the culture, spirit, accomplishments and history of West Tennessee and the surrounding region. His third book, “The Accidental Fame and Lack of Fortune of West Tennessee’s David Crockett,” was published in 2021. Williams is also the author of “An Odd Book, How the First Modern Pop Culture Reporter Conquered New York" and "The Forgotten Adventures of Richard Halliburton: A High-Flying Life from Tennessee to Timbuktu."
You can find Scott Williams on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/scott-williams-673b6620  and https://discoveryparkofamerica.com/.
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

First Job

Do you remember your first job? What was it? How did it feel?
 
Today on Conflict Managed, I had the great pleasure of interviewing my son, Leo Brown, on the one-year anniversary of his first job. Listen as Leo recounts his experiences as a fast-food worker. He talks about what he sees as the qualities of a good manager (calm, patient, understanding, caring, and empathetic) and of an ineffectual manager (disorganized and inattentive). Leo talks about what he thought went on behind the scenes in the restaurant business versus what he never considered to be the case: community and the importance of order. Through our conversation Leo reiterates the importance of being opened minded as the key to growing and being happy at work. Our discussion closes with what is important to him when he looks at workplace culture and values.
Leo Brown just graduated in the top 10 of his class at Westview High School. He is going to the University of Memphis in the fall to study economics. Leo plays tennis and disc golf.
You can find Leo Brown on Instagram at  https://www.instagram.com/lepobrown
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Take Action

We’ve all encountered less than optimal circumstances at work. When this happens, what do you do? What have you done in the past?
Today on Conflict Managed we talk with Mikki McLeary, a Human Resources professional. She talks to us about experiences with difficult bosses and ideas as to how to prevent the mistreatment of employees going unnoticed in companies through transparency and communication. Listen as Mikki describes two initiatives she is working on to increase employee retention and workplace belonging and wellbeing. She describes what HR can be (should be!), as a place to solve human problems through listening, feedback, and action.
Mikki is a Human Resources Generalist with extensive recruiting experience. She has worked in recruiting since 2013. Mikki resides in South Fulton, TN, is an avid golfer, and enjoy watching sporting events.
You can find Mikki on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/mikki.mcleary/ and LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikki-mcleary-mba-hrm-8b897b56/
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.

Coaching Through Mistakes

Have you ever made a mistake at work? Yes, me too. All of us make mistakes. How have your mistakes been handled? How should mistakes be addressed in a healthy and flourishing work environment?
Today on Conflict Managed we talk with Gary Carter about the role of managers when things go wrong, the importance of respecting employee privacy and avoiding public shaming when mistakes are made. Gary also reminds us of the wisdom of listening to those you manage, taking their insights and suggestions seriously, the value of showing up to work in a coachable frame of mind, and the power of genuine enthusiasm.
Gary Carter is a Certified Financial Planner with Northwestern Mutual. The people Gary finds he is most impactful with in his business are those who own a business up to 50 employees, and those who have recently experienced job transitions. He has been married to Ashley for 5 years, and they have 2 sons, Noah and Andrew.  They also have a dog who is occasionally refer to as their “actual firstborn” named Samson.
 You can find Gary on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-carter-cfp%C2%AE-6a63b1a6/ and https://www.northwesternmutual.com/financial/advisor/gary-carter/
Conflict Managed is hosted by Merry Brown and produced by Third Party Workplace Conflict Restoration Services. Contact us at 3PConflictRestoration@gmail.com. Our music is courtesy of Dove Pilot.