by Lorraine Segal | Aug 17, 2026
Soft Front, Strong Back What does it mean to have a “soft front” and a “strong back” in conversations with difficult people? I heard this phrase in an article from The Greater Good Center by Simon Greer. His focus was on how to have community conversations with people...
by Lorraine Segal | Jul 20, 2026
Not by the Sword Can an act of kindness heal hatred and turn an enemy into an ally? Rabbi Michael Weisser’s experiences with a hate-filled white supremacist suggest the answer is yes. In 1991, the Jewish family of Rabbi Michael Weisser, newly arrived in Lincoln,...
by Lorraine Segal | Jun 15, 2026
A Listening Heart Active listening, compassionate listening, empathic listening, listening to understand, listening with the third ear, divine listening. These are all descriptions of the kind of high quality listening that can transform a conflict. A listening heart...
by Lorraine Segal | May 18, 2026
Having a Better Conversation–even with a “demon” How can you have a better conversation, even when the topic or the person is difficult? Some key components I model and share with my clients and students are: compassionate listening, asking curious non-...
by Lorraine Segal | Apr 20, 2026
Conflict Skills Ruined my TV Watching I am incredibly grateful for the conflict transformation skills I’ve acquired and the intuitions I have honed, that help me and my clients navigate difficult conversations, resolve disagreements, and clear up misunderstandings...
by Lorraine Segal | Mar 15, 2026
Just the Right Amount of Genius Being on a work team of extremely smart, motivated, creative people sounds ideal, right? But if it isn’t carefully managed, it could be a recipe for disaster instead. Conflict overwhelms genius A recent article in the New York Times...
by Lorraine Segal | Feb 17, 2026
Jane Austen and the Power of a Different Story Stories have power. Whether it is a story we are telling ourselves, or the story of Pride and Prejudice, stories can educate, entertain, or transform. Story is a key concept in the conflict transformation work I do with...
by Lorraine Segal | Jan 19, 2026
Hidden Resentments at Work? As humans, we are full of feelings at work as well as in our personal lives. But if we ignore these feelings or attempt to push them down, especially negative ones, they will leak out sideways with generally detrimental consequences. I...
by Lorraine Segal | Dec 15, 2025
Choosing the Light of Hope Christmas, Hanukah, Kwanza, Diwali, Solstice—what do these holidays from different religious and cultural traditions have in common? They all take place in the darkest part of the year, and they all bring light in their rituals. The return...
by Lorraine Segal | Nov 17, 2025
Employer Ghosting and Difficult Conversations Have you ever applied for a job, gone through a seemingly successful multiple stage interview process, and then never heard back? I have, and it felt awful. And I know I’m not the only one who has experienced this....
