Astraea Mediation

Because I don't just offer mediation, today's post zooms in on Executive Coaching! Spoiler alert: engaging an Executive Coach isn't just a nice to have, it's a must have for high performing leaders! When working with me as a Coach, how we gel is critical to your success so you you should know, if you're looking for a really formal, tick box style coach then that's not me! What you will get is someone who can get to the heart of the matter quickly, will keep your deepest, darkest secrets safe should they come up in conversation and help you overcome any barriers to success. If you're curious, read on, or if you're interested in working with me, drop me a DM. https://lnkd.in/eEfktsPV

On Monday I had the pleasure of attending the UK Mediation Conference 2024. It was such an interesting event with some exceptional speakers. It was fascinating looking at the correlation between workplace disputes and the culture of an organisation. Focussing on the health of an organisation and creating an environment that's fair, just and inclusive leads to a high performing workplace with happy employees and healthy teams. This was followed by an interactive session on the correlation between technology, empathy and relationships. Did you know, employees check their emails an eye-watering 77 times a day! This leads to an increase in pressure and stress which can equal conflict. The other standout session for me was delivered by Mia Pirie, discussing feedback. While feedback can be a gift, delivering it with kindness, compassion and empathy is essential to a good outcome. There were so many points of reflection. If I put my HR Leader hat on, it was refreshing hearing how shredding disruptive policies like grievance and disciplinary in favour of alternative dispute resolution methods could be a path forward. I came away enthused and excited as all indicators suggest positive change in the world of work! #workplacemediation #grievance #workplaceculture #leadership #conflictresolution

This week I went along to the the CIPD Festival of Work. I wasn't sure how valuable the event was going to be, but the speakers were enough to get me booking a train ticket! The highlights for me: Dr Alex George shared that 23.3 million working days are lost to sickness for workplace stress. WOW. This can often come down to accidental managers - those who are responsible for people but have had no training. If only the doctor could write a prescription for a better boss! Stacey Dooley shared her experiences of life on the frontline. I loved the way she positioned that her job is ensuring the person telling their story is looked after. Stacey also explained that you don't have to write serious documentaries and be serious! Don't forget to have fun! Alex Mahon was nothing short of brilliantly funny and very astute. There were many laughs, for example fearless leadership could be called stupid leadership, how about trying to lead in the right way while cognisant of what to be worried about and how difficult conversations aren't easy but she would encourage people to hear bad news and think of friction as others people's perspectives. A really thought provoking series of speakers, with comments I can totally resonate with from a workplace mediation and executive coaching point of view. If you get the opportunity to give them a listen then it's worth it. #cipdfesitvalofwork #conflictresolution #workplacemediator #executivecoach

I'm really looking forward to attending the CIPD Festival of Work next week and having the opportunity to listen to Stacey Dooley talk all things modern slavery, mental health, ESG and gender equality. If you're going to be there on 12th June and would like to meet up in person, drop me a message! #CIPD #Festivalofwork #conflictresolution #workplacemediation #hrforhr

Two weeks ago, I attended The HR Big Meet 2024. I don't think I've ever attended an event which left me so energised that I was thinking about it weeks later! There were fantastic speakers who shared personal experience and raw emotion. The event had in excess of 200 people, so it was a great opportunity to network and put faces to names. It was a day of firsts - the first time I've laughed that much during an event, the first time I've met a couple of hundred people in the same place and felt like I'd known them all forever, the first time I've waved a card that's flipping the bird (a little gift bag treat) while singing along to a well known Lily Allen song (yes, it was that one!) and the first time I've worked out where I needed to be based on the colour of the disco ball. The theme was rebellion, which was perfect given the challenges HR professionals face on a daily basis. If you're a HR superstar and you've not attended, I would encourage you to do so next year! #hrforhr #workplacemediation #conflictresolution

This is exciting! The Evolving HR™️ Directory is evolving. Monday 3rd June 2024. #evolvinghr #hrsupport #hrdepartment #hrcommunity #findyourpeople

This month we are shining the spotlight on conflict coaching. Workplace conflict is inevitable. Our latest blog explores how conflict coaching can help improve wellbeing by providing the skills needed to proactively manage and resolve conflict. Whether it's reducing anxiety and stress to improving communication and empathy, the benefits are vast. Read more about integrating conflict coaching into your workplace wellness programs and its long-term benefits for organisational health. #Leadership #HR #hrforhr #WorkplaceWellness #conflictresolution #conflictcoaching https://lnkd.in/eKchu-ca

This is an interesting read and I’m curious to see how technology progresses and whether AI can support mediation. While AI can be a positive for efficiency, whether there is a way to mitigate the ethical implications when it comes to confidentiality remains to be seen. Definitely one to watch! #workplacemediation #conflictresolution

If you'd like to learn a little more about me, check out the post below from the amazing Mandy Withers who runs the Talk HR Club which offers fabulous resources for HR Professionals which I would encourage you to explore. Thank you Mandy - this has made me smile and I'm looking forward to meeting up again soon 🩶

I recently received a certificate from the CIPD thanking me for my exceptional service to the HR profession for over 20 years! First I thought, geez, time flies and thanks for the reminder that I'm not getting any younger! Then I reflected on my journey. I was working in HR while I studied for my CIPD qualification. My son had just been born (he's now adulting), I was studying while up at night feeding him - baby in one arm, a book in the other (do you remember real books - oh those were the days!). I often get asked how I did it. Sleepless nights, studying on top of working full time with a new born. It's simple really, I love my profession and am pretty determined when I want something! Then I thought of how much the world of work has changed in that time. I've practised through technology changes (when was the last time you saw a Dictaphone or a bulky desktop), smart phones being introduced (bye bye Blackberry and pagers), changes to office environments (no more smoking indoors), then there was the ability to work remotely and working practices changed (think about when life really was like a series of the office), a pandemic came along and importantly there was a shift in perception with HR no longer being seen as personnel engaged for tea, tissues and party planning, but operating as strategists and true business partners. I've dealt with things you couldn't dream of and that's part of the beauty. As a profession, it's not for the feint hearted, each day contains some sort of surprise and I love it! Thank you CIPD and thank you to everyone who has been part of my wild and crazy journey. Here's to an exciting future, with even more change 🩶 (photo edited to remove signatures and membership details!) #hrforhr #awesomeprofession #youcouldntmakeitup #workplacemediator #conflictresolution #goals