The decree by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, stating that Ukraine will not engage in peace talks with Russia as long as President Vladimir Putin remains in power, has significant implications for the ongoing conflict and efforts towards peace. This stance, while highlighting Ukraine’s commitment to sovereignty and territorial integrity, brings a range of negative consequences […]
For over 30 years, Luxembourg has been a seafaring nation with a lucrative shipping registry—despite having no access to the sea. Cool, right? Luxembourgish ships have built offshore wind farms in Belgium and even one of the Palm Islands off Dubai. This sector directly accounts for about 300 jobs, but it also generates business for […]
The Status Quo: A Zero-Sum Game The current geopolitical climate surrounding Crimea is entrenched in a zero-sum mentality, where one party’s gain is inevitably perceived as another’s loss. This antagonistic approach has perpetuated conflict, sustaining a relentless cycle of sanctions, military expenditures and territorial disputes. These actions have exacerbated tensions, leaving no room for meaningful […]
Negotiation strategies are far from a “one-size-fits-all” solution; instead, they are profoundly shaped by our unique personalities and the array of experiences we accumulate over our lifetimes. Gaining an understanding of popular models of conflict and bargaining styles, such as those put forth by Thomas-Kilmann and G. Richard Shell, can greatly enhance our ability to […]
Conflict resolution is the process —either formal or informal— used by two or more parties to achieve a peaceful, stable and perceived fair solution to a dispute. This process is crucial in navigating the numerous cognitive and emotional pitfalls that can deepen conflicts, many of which we might not even consciously recognize. Self-Serving Fairness Interpretations: […]
Have you ever found yourself in a negotiation, presented with an offer that (later) objectively seems fair, but something about it just doesn’t sit right with you? You can’t quite put your finger on it, but you’re inclined to reject the offer simply -because it came from the other side. If this sounds familiar, you’ve […]
Have you ever thought about how the Second Law of Thermodynamics applies to our negotiations as well? I recently came across a fascinating blog article by German psychologist Roland Kopp-Wichmann, titled “Man, Woman, Relationships – and the Second Law of Thermodynamics”. The article uses this law – the principle that everything tends to get worse […]