Third Ear Conflict Resolution
Founded on June 23, 2003, we help businesses and workers create mutually-beneficial partnerships. Whether structured as business-to-business or employer-employee relationships, we provide services and resources to make their work experiences more peaceful and productive. Over the years, we’ve resolved thousands of cases through mediation and other informal resolution processes, such as penalty resolution and workers compensation defense. We also help keep people out of court through ongoing legal consultations and continuing education.
Nance L. Schick, Esq.
Our founder is an employment attorney and mediator who knows litigation is limited in its ability to resolve workplace disputes completely. She was a plaintiff in a sex discrimination and sexual harassment lawsuit against a prior employer. Although she won a $90,000.00 default judgment, she and her attorneys never collected a penny of it. She lost friends, confidence, and opportunities in the industry. We want you to have a better outcome.
Nance frequently assists journalists writing on conflict resolution, mediation, workplace disputes, domestic employment, independent contractors, and polyvictimization. For more information, see our Media Relations page.
Vision
We envision a world where court is the last resort for people in dispute.
Mission
We help employers build more peaceful and productive work experiences.
How to Resolve Your Workplace Dispute Without Going to Court: A Guide to Employment Mediation
Where Is Your Third Ear?
When you look in the center of the English word for corazon, herz, or coeur, there it is: h-E-A-R-t.
Your third ear is in your heart. Not literally, of course. But this simple concept and the Third Ear logo are intended to remind you to slow down when you are emotionally charged. Look beyond the obvious for the fear, pain, and human vulnerabilities in people, even when they are yelling at you. Listen for the hurts you can heal. This will make you a more effective problem-solver–at work and at home.
When emotions go up, intelligence goes down. ~ Robert Kiyosaki
Confront High Emotions Effectively
The Third Ear Resolution process is a two-part process. The Seven Choices help you reconnect with your more rational, intellectual side so you will be better able to identify solutions when you involve others in the process. You can, of course, repeat them as necessary throughout the process.
The Seven Choices:
- Forgive yourself
- Acknowledge yourself
- Forgive the world
- Free the emotions
- Clear your mind
- Assume you know nothing
- Listen with your third ear
Collaborate with Any Willing Participant
The Five Actions are typically taken with the other person or people affected by the conflict. We clearly define the conflict from each person’s perspective, identify each person’s interests in the conflict, and play with a full range of possibilities for resolution. Once we have some specific, measurable actions each person can take, we can begin to create a new future for everyone.
The Five Actions:
- Define the conflict succinctly
- Identify each party’s interests
- Play with the possibilities for resolution
- Create the future with a specific, actionable plan
- Stay on PARR: Planning, Acting, Revising, and Repeating, until you get the desired results
Testimonials
Nance has a lot of friends [in this group because] she has solved a lot of problems for a lot of people. ~ M.S., Attorney, NY
Nance is an excellent lawyer with a heart! She loves working with entrepreneurs and is one herself, so she completely understands the challenges and needs that one faces when launching a small business. I really couldn’t recommend Nance more highly. ~ B.S., Business Owner, NY
She also has a way of putting you at ease, so that sanity prevails in the legal process. ~ N.K., Attorney, NY