Rich Conversations™ was born from our experiences of group wisdom. Through those experiences, we discovered that connecting with others in a deep and creative way is invigorating, inspiring, humbling and very fascinating.
What have we learned? When people connect at a deep, meaningful level, they are able to face their fears; work through difficulties; and let go of old attitudes and behaviours that get in the way of understanding. They discover common ground with others. By trusting and being true to themselves, individuals are able to tap into a collective wisdom far greater than any one individual.
We created Rich Conversations™ to nurture the ability of people to work through their differences; to gain common ground; to create sustainable solutions; and to grow personally from the experience.
Peter's Story
Elizabeth, Hugh and I first met in May 2002. We were brought together from different parts of the country to deal with a difficult situation - to examine and assess a senior management team in a national organization that from all accounts was "much less than the sum of its parts".
Our backgrounds and credentials were quite varied. Elizabeth is a minister, Hugh is a judge and I am a mediator. At first, I was uncertain even a bit anxious about how this could work and frankly, about our chances for success. Nevertheless, I jumped in and over the next six months we got together for a number of 2-3 day sessions.
We had different perspectives, different ways of seeing things, different ideas and different approaches. We often disagreed although we never argued. By our second set of meetings, I began to experience how our different views, our "disagreements" were exciting and creative. They led to new insights and understandings. We learned from each other and fed off each other. We produced much more together than any of us could have imagined. Although we didn't use the words, we had very rich conversations.
On a Friday evening in July at the end of our final day's work, Elizabeth invited Hugh and me to join her on a friend's sailboat in the Toronto harbour. What a delightful surprise when we found the boat was named "Soul Sailor" for, through our rich conversations, we had indeed become soul sailors!
This was not my first, but it was certainly my most profound experience of the power of rich conversation. It produced in me a yearning to learn more about and experience this phenomenon that I now know as group wisdom. As it turns out, much of what I have been studying and experimenting with as a mediator, teacher, trainer, and coach were essential tools used to cultivate group wisdom.
From late 2002 to 2004, I was blessed again to collaborate with Cheryl Picard, Rena Ramkay and Neil Sargent on The Art and Science of Mediation, a university textbook that explores the principles and practices of Insight Mediation.
My work on collective intelligence has led me in the most natural way to a study of collective unconscious and the incredibly rich world of Jungian psychology, archetypes and myth. All of this alchemical mix has contributed to my "hero's journey" towards what for me is my holy grail - rich conversation. Rich Conversations™, this website and the Rich Conversations Community is both the culmination and the beginning of that journey.
Peter's Background
Rich Conversations is a natural extension of my career as a lawyer, mediator, facilitator, conflict resolution practitioner, trainer, educator and author. In each of these roles, I experience our deep human need to communicate better with others the things that really matter to us.
In my work as a lawyer, mediator and conflict resolution practitioner, I am grateful to be able to help people work through their differences to find mutually agreeable solutions that help them move forward in their lives.
As a trainer, educator and author, I find immense satisfaction in sharing my knowledge and experience with others to help them learn to make their own rich conversation.
A snapshot of my experience:
I have conducted hundreds of mediations ranging from two-party family disputes to cases of multi-party organizational conflict involving issues of structure and governance, leadership, performance and interpersonal conflict.
As an educator, coach and trainer, I have developed, delivered and participated in customized training programs for mediators, human resource professionals, lawyers, union and other personnel in the public and private sectors.
Since 2000, I have been the Sessional Instructor for the undergraduate course in Mediation at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. I am also a Skills Assessor and Instructor in the Graduate Certificate Program in Conflict Resolution at the University.
In 2004 I co-authored The Art and Science of Mediation, Toronto: Emond Montgomery (co-authors Cheryl Picard, Rena Ramkay and Neil Sargent) . I also wrote the book Winning in the Workplace: ADR Strategies for Employment Disputes, Toronto: Carswell in 1995.
Shirley's Story
A few years ago, I attended a meeting of a group responsible for overseeing the activities of a charitable organization. This meeting was going to be difficult. We were dealing with an ethical issue that reached into the very heart and soul of the organization. Our group of eight had tap-danced around the problem for three successive meetings, but tonight we had to make a decision. The problem was, each of us had a different perspective and a couple of people held completely opposing views. Adding to my anxiety, our meeting leader was new to the group. I "girded my loins" and prepared for battle.
We left the meeting in amazement! The discussion had been very difficult at times, but well worth the effort. Not only had we all reached a decision, it was 'our' decision, a good decision, one we were confident in and proud of. Energized by the experience, we all looked forward to the next meeting when together we could tackle other important issues we had been avoiding. Our conversation had been deep, heartfelt and most important - fulfilling.
How did we do it? Hard work. We worked hard to understand each other. We worked hard to let go of our own pre-conceived notions of what was right. We worked hard to find solutions that everyone could live with. And we worked hard to let go of our self-imposed pressure to solve the problem in a certain way by a certain time.
Since that time, I have experienced other instances of rich conversation - both as a participant and as a facilitator. each one brings a sense of accomplishment and confidence to everyone involved. Circumstances may differ but the principles are the same: genuine desire to resolve an issue; openness to listen without judgement; and willingness to risk.
Shirley's Background
I come to Rich Conversations Inc. from a career in organizational change, facilitation and project management. In my 25 year consulting career, I have worked with people in a wide variety of organizations and circumstances. Whether the organizations are large or small, profit or non-profit, each situation has connected me with people who care about what they do and have a genuine desire to make things better for themselves and others.
A snapshot of my experience:
As an organizational change consultant, I have helped groups make significant workplace changes. In each case, people have been called to work through tough issues with personal and professional consequences, to find the common ground they need to move forward together.
I have developed and facilitated dozens of workshops in the areas of issue resolution, governance, organizational design and transition planning. I have also coached managers on change management, team building and participative decision-making.
My project management experience ranges from small, short-term volunteer fund-raising management to large, national, multi-disciplinary, multi-level transformation projects in the public sector.
Have a look at our Personal Skills Development Course and our Audio Series to learn how you can improve your ability to handle conflict situations.
