Don't make me swear to it, but I believe it was Karl Slaikeu who first presented to me the four stages -- or, better, "declensions" -- of ending a conflict. If it was somebody else, my apology. Which, by the way, is the first stage....
Of the many skilled mediators I have been privileged to know, few are more insightful and articulate than Robert Creo. Bob recently shared a terrific perspective over a tasty lunch: That three discussions, or dances, inform a negotiated settlement discussion, and only one of them is acknowledged by the parties. ...