Synopsis
Conflict is everywhere—at work, at home, in our communities. Yet most people either avoid it entirely or let it escalate into something destructive. We’ve been conditioned to believe that mediating disputes is only for those who’ve undergone special training, leaving the rest of us feeling helpless when tensions rise around us.
But what if you in fact already have everything you need to help others work through their differences?
Daniel Griffith, a lawyer, trained mediator, and educator with 30 years of experience, has worked with over 15,000 people across hundreds of groups and organizations. He’s discovered that we can all become effective mediators by using seven simple practices that tap into skills we all naturally possess. In our increasingly polarized world, where colleagues suffer in toxic environments and communities fracture over different viewpoints, this isn’t about becoming a professional mediator—it’s about stepping in before misunderstandings become major rifts.
Through practical frameworks and real-world examples, Griffith shows you how to respond effectively in heated moments, facilitate difficult conversations, and help people find common ground without forcing false harmony. You’ll learn to address underlying issues that fuel ongoing disputes and guide others toward productive dialogue, even when complete resolution isn’t possible.
Whether it’s helping teammates navigate a workplace disagreement or preventing a family argument from ruining Thanksgiving dinner, this book gives you confidence to step into conflict as a force for connection rather than division. The goal isn’t always eliminating disagreement—it’s supporting people to communicate clearly, engage in arguments more productively, and maintain dignity throughout the process.
Become the person others turn to when things get difficult. It’s time to discover the everyday mediator within you.
About the Author
Daniel Griffith's refreshing approach to everyday mediation grew from an abiding passion to make service as a mediator accessible to anyone. Through his training, presentations, and writing, he empowers others to rely on their innate abilities to address the everyday conflicts in the world around them. Many organizations have utilized his training to support cohorts of professionals as part of their commitment to fostering an inclusive, equitable, and welcoming work and learning culture.Griffith is a mediator, educator, lawyer, HR leader, and writer with more than 30 years of experience working with organizations and professionals in education, nonprofit, government, and business, and for professional associations. He specializes in mediating workplace, interpersonal, management, and higher-education disputes and training lawyers, HR practitioners, managers, and other professionals in mediation, negotiation, communication, and dialogue facilitation. Griffith teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in mediation, negotiations, and alternative dispute resolution for the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law and the Indiana University Paul H. O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs. He further shares his expertise through articles, blogs, and podcasts and as a frequent contributor for HigherEdJobs.com, an online job and recruitment source. He is co-author of The Conflict Survival Kit: Tools for Resolving Conflict at Work (2nd ed.) and The Supervisor's Survival Kit (11th ed.). A graduate of DePauw University and the IU McKinney School of Law, Griffith holds certifications from the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). He is a member and currently vice president of the Indiana Association of Mediators.
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