As the founder and CEO of the Core Solutions Group, I spend a great deal of time thinking and speaking about mediation, negotiation, conflict management, leadership and communication. I am told I should write some of these thoughts down… so, here goes…
The escalating situation in Ukraine brings challenges to those of us committed to mediation and peace-making. Is there a time when what we stand for does not work and cannot be pursued? When dialogue, even …
The escalating situation regarding Ukraine brings a chilling reminder of the days of the Cold War which came to an end at the beginning of the 1990s with the collapse of the Soviet Union.
That Scotland and Edinburgh played a …
What is the risk that the Ukraine situation is being approached by the West in a binary, dualist way? We cannot control President Putin but how we, or at least our politicians and diplomats, respond …
Effective inter-governmental relations among the constituent parts of the United Kingdom are essential in an era of increased devolution of powers, post-Brexit allocation of responsibility and contested narratives about the future of the (uncodified) UK …
At this time of year, it is good to reflect, to look back, and also to look forward. This is not always easy as we sense the clutter and complexity of life crowding in on …
I was interested to read an article in The Scotsman last week referring to analysis by PWC which shows that almost all of the UK’s top law firms are seeing their fees and profits “top …
I have written many times in this column about the benefits of mediation. I have been aware of the dangers of overkill, special pleading (“he would say that wouldn’t he”) or being a prophet without …
There is pressure for an inquiry into the response to the Covid pandemic in Scotland. If it proceeds, there are questions to be addressed about its scope and format.
First, what would be its purpose? There …
Every now and again something happens to cause me to pause and think – or re-think. Recently, I had that experience at a small ruined castle in the heart of Scotland, near a lovely country …
Recently I was privileged to give a keynote address to a conference of medical leaders and managers. My title was “Love over Fear in Health Care”. The full text can be found on the Core …