Mediation & Conflict Resolution

When people work closely together, tension and conflict can arise. Conflict is a good thing for teams and organizations when its managed well.

Common patterns you may be experiencing that we have worked with:

  • Leadership no longer trusts each other or they find it harder to converse

  • Family or peer relationships are affecting business decisions

  • Conversations keep looping or shutting down

  • You are preparing for succession or transition (ownership, management or leadership)

  • Legal action feels imminent but unwanted

When conflict escalates, conflict and dispute resolution services can restore a productive and effective working environment.

Together, we can reach a mutual agreement and you can move forward navigating differences, uncertainty, transition and succession.

We offer a valuable alternative to litigation and consulting firms in Ontario Canada, with potential benefits like speed, cost-effectiveness, and the ability to preserve relationships. 

Voluntary engagement & adaptive design

Mediation is a voluntary step-by-step process that we design with you and for you. We take an adaptive approach remaining agile throughout the entire process.

A mediation or conflict resolution step-by-step process may look like:

  • Step 1: Confidential discussion & readiness assessment

  • Step 2: Individual 1:1 conversations

  • Step 3: Joint conflict resolution sessions

  • Step 4: Clarifying interests, constraints, and options

  • Step 5: Agreement-building and next steps

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Mediation, litigation, and coaching serve different purposes depending on the situation and desired outcome.

    • Mediation is a voluntary, confidential process in which a neutral third party supports people in having structured conversations to resolve conflict and reach mutually acceptable agreements. The mediator does not make decisions or take sides.

    • Litigation is a formal legal process in which disputes are resolved through the court system. Decisions are made by a judge or tribunal, outcomes are binding, and the process is typically adversarial, time-consuming, and public. [We do not offer this.]

    • Team coaching can be helpful to resolve conflicts, provided they are not too heated. For for difficult conflicts or disputes, we turn to mediation.

    • 1:1 Coaching often focuses more on personal professional development rather than resolving a dispute. A coach supports individuals or teams in building awareness, clarity, and capability, but often does not intervene to resolve conflicts or determine outcomes. 1:1 Coaching can take place in tandem with a mediation or team coaching engagement.

    Each approach has its place. The most appropriate option depends on the nature of the issue, the relationships involved, and whether the goal is resolution, development, or legal determination.

    We can help you determine what would best support you.

  • Mediation has been shown to more effective than other means to resolve conflicts in a mutually satisfying way. At times, some agreements will be found while other disagreements or disputes will be left resolved. For more challenging items, arbitration or litigable may be other forms of action.

  • Yes, mediation is confidential in Ontario. There are only a few exceptions, such as disclosure might be required by law, for safety reasons (e.g., child safety), or if parties explicitly agree to waive confidentiality for specific purposes.

  • The time to complete a mediation approaches ranges depending on the complexity of the issues and the number of people involved. For simple cases, following initial assesses and individual conversations the process can take 3 to 9 -hours. For more complex cases it can take 3 to 6-months.

  • No, mediation is not legally binding.

  • Mediation is voluntary. Yes, all parties have to agree to participate and all parties have the right to decide to step out of the process at any time.

Start with a confidential conversation

Personalized meetings

Group meetings

Agreement reached

“Business Succession Conflict

Finalized with more discussion

There is more discussion than before between us. The sale has just been finalized. Thank you for all your help.

Former Co-Owner and Senior Vice President, Family Business, Manufacturing Sector

“Leadership Team Tension

Supported while learning to relate to others

Amanda has been consistently non-judgemental, patient and present throughout our sessions. She has helped me understand what is important to me among multiple dimensions. As a result of our sessions, I’ve learned how I relate to others, in a way that allows me to bring my best self to this world, face challenges with a broader, more compassionate perspective and inspire others to do the same.

Former Co-Founder & COO, Technology Sector

Serving

We work closely with:

  • Family-owned and family-run businesses

  • Leadership teams across industries

  • Small and medium-sized enterprises

  • Venture-backed and seed-funded start-up companies

Value Added

Gain insights into the conflict

Understand your differences

Gain traction towards identifying reasonable solutions

Come to an agreement and move on

Transition ownership and a successor while continuing to smoothly operate the business

Save time, money and energy