Martha C. Bean
Complexities Visualized & Resolved
Words alone rarely work to convey a concept to people with differing experiences, interests and expertise. Imagery can be highly effective at helping visualize a concept, and thus put it to
Martha C. Bean
Complexities Visualized & Resolved
Words alone rarely work to convey a concept to people with differing experiences, interests and expertise. Imagery can be highly effective at helping visualize a concept, and thus put it to work. Concepts require abstract thinking -- images are ideal for moving from abstract to concrete thinking and back again. Often, cues about what images to use in a conceptual drawing are provided by the group itself. Metaphors also help when conveying concepts. Examples of each of these are shown below. Some of these are slide shows, so be sure to click to get the full impact of the concept drawings.
Assess when to litigate, arbitrate, mediate or collaborate
Above is an illustration of the the different paths to take when settling a dispute. The top path shows a litigated outcome -- where a judge or jury imposes a decision. The path running the the center of the picture shows an arbitrated outcome -- where parties agree to adhere to a decision made by someone else. The trails and roads at the bottom of the image show collaborative outcome, where parties negotiate the result and make their own decisions, sometimes with the help of a mediator or neutral facilitator. Martha produced this 'Landscape of Settlement Options' with Jeff Bean, her brother and a talented attorney/mediator active in the Northwest.
In interest-based negotiation, parties have the opportunity to bring more 'to the table' than they started with. They don't have to stick with an oversimplified version of their relationship; they can add value for one another. 