PREPARE · REFLECT · FIND YOUR NEXT STEP

Conflict & leadership resources

Practical tools for preparing for mediation, approaching a difficult conversation, and working through board conflict. Based in Niagara, with online services across Ontario.

Preparation guides

Use these prompts for your own notes. Keep completed worksheets private; do not send case details through a public website form. These tools provide general preparation support, not legal advice or therapy.

Mediation preparation guide

Download the mediation preparation guide (PDF)

Before your consultation

  1. Name the issue briefly. Describe what needs attention in one or two neutral sentences. Separate what happened from your interpretation.
  2. Identify who needs to participate. Note roles, decision-making authority, accessibility needs, and any support you would need to take part freely.
  3. Clarify your interests. What matters most? Consider practical needs, relationships, timing, and what you need to understand.
  4. Consider options. List several possible ways forward and the questions that remain. An agreement is not guaranteed.
  5. Organize relevant information. Make a short chronology and a private document list. Ask how materials should be shared before sending them.
  6. Plan your questions. Ask about suitability, confidentiality and its limits, fees, preparation, breaks, and next steps.

Before a mediation session, review the Agreement to Mediate and seek independent legal advice about your rights or any proposed agreement.

Read the mediation process · Book a free consultation

Difficult-conversation planner

Download the difficult-conversation planner (PDF)

Prepare without scripting the other person

  1. Goal: What do I want us to understand, decide, or do differently?
  2. Interests: Why does this matter to me? What might matter to the other person?
  3. Assumptions: What have I observed directly, and what am I guessing?
  4. Opening: “I’d like to talk about ___. I noticed ___. I want to understand your perspective and discuss ___.”
  5. Listening: What would help me understand their experience? What have I missed? What would a workable next step look like to them?
  6. Boundaries: What can I agree to? What needs more time, advice, or support? How could I request a pause?
  7. Next step: Who will do what, by when, and how will we check understanding?

If a direct conversation could put you at risk, do not use this planner as a reason to initiate contact. Seek appropriate individual support.

Explore conflict coaching

Board-conflict checklist

Download the board-conflict checklist (PDF)

Prepare a useful discussion

  • Separate the decision to be made from personal grievances.
  • Confirm who has authority to decide and which governing documents need professional interpretation.
  • Identify affected groups and how their perspectives can be heard.
  • Agree on an agenda, time limits, respectful participation, and a way to pause.
  • List relevant facts and unanswered questions without circulating unnecessary personal information.
  • Distinguish discussion, recommendations, and decisions in the meeting record.
  • Identify responsibilities and a review date for agreed next steps.

A facilitated discussion does not replace legal advice, required governance procedures, or a formal investigation.

Read about condo board and resident mediation · Explore leadership support

When to seek other support first

Mediation requires a suitability assessment. Tell the mediator privately about concerns that could affect safe, informed, voluntary participation, including intimidation, coercion, major power imbalances, or difficulty understanding the process.

If you need urgent protection, a legal deadline is approaching, or you need advice about your rights, seek appropriate legal help promptly. Do not wait for a website inquiry or assume mediation changes a deadline. If there is immediate danger, call 911.

Coaching is not legal advice, therapy, an investigation, or crisis support. A consultation can help identify whether this service is a fit; participation and outcomes are not guaranteed.

Read the mediation FAQs. For family matters, see Ontario’s guidance on mediation and independent legal advice.

Find a possible starting point

Answer six general questions. Do not enter names or case details. Your answers stay in this page and are not submitted.

Mediation cost estimate

A planning example, not a quote or a prediction of how long your matter will take. Enter the hours you wish to model. Confirm the billable scope and payment arrangements before booking paid work.

An equal split is an illustration, not a required arrangement. This tool does not add travel, venue, or other separately agreed costs. Quarter-hour input steps are for modelling only and do not state a billing increment. Community rates require a means-tested assessment and are not automatically calculated here. The free 60-minute initial consultation has no charge. Read fees and payment terms.

Making a referral

Download the referral one-sheet (PDF)

Start with a brief inquiry or a free 60-minute consultation. Obtain the person’s permission before sharing their contact details. Send only contact information, service sought, general setting, and preferred timing initially; arrange the appropriate way to share documents later.

Lawyers and paralegals

Explore whether a facilitated discussion or individual communication preparation may fit. Identify the general matter type, participants, and timing. Representation and legal advice remain with the client’s legal professional.

Court and tribunal-related matters

HR and workplace leaders

Discuss communication breakdowns, working relationships, or leadership decisions. Clarify whether the request concerns mediation, coaching, or a separate investigation or formal process.

Explore mediation settings

Clergy and community leaders

Explore dialogue, relational conflict, or individual preparation. Identify participation needs and avoid sending private pastoral or personal histories through an ordinary inquiry.

Read about mediation

Property managers and condo boards

Identify the organization, your role, broad issue category, approximate number of participants, and desired timing. Do not include private resident narratives.

Condo board and resident support

Community organizations

Ask about a dispute, a leadership challenge, or a facilitated learning session. Non-profit mediation is listed at $150 per hour, HST included; confirm fit and scope first.

Fees and community support

Availability, suitability, scope, and any written deliverable are confirmed directly. Based in Niagara; online service throughout Ontario.

Book a free consultation or email a referral inquiry.

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For essays on conflict, reconciliation, leadership, and public life, read Jared’s Substack. You can choose whether to subscribe there.

Mediation process · Fees and community rates · Frequently asked questions