Managing Conflict Mindfully – Don’t Believe Everything You Think

By
Leonard Riskin

Jeff Kichaven

Natalie J. Armstrong-Motin

David Shraga

Jean Lawler

September 9, 2025

Republished with permission by: Will Work For Food Leonard Riskin’s presentation, “Managing Conflict Mindfully – Don’t Believe Everything You Think,” introduces his new book and its central theme: the common pitfalls experienced negotiators face. He illustrates this with a personal anecdote about a challenging negotiation in Egypt, revealing how five obstacles—automatic thinking, excessive self-centeredness, poor emotional management, inadequate…

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Leonard Riskin

Leonard L. Riskin is Chesterfield Smith Professor of Law at the University of Florida Levin College of Law. He previously served at the University of Missouri as Director of the Center for the Study of Dispute Resolution and Professor of Law. He has taught both dispute resolution and mindfulness around… MORE >

Jeff Kichaven

Jeff Kichaven is one of America’s leading mediators. He’s “Ranked in Chambers – Band 1” on the USA – Nationwide list, and Lexology (f/k/a Who’s Who Legal) has honored him as a Global Elite Thought Leader in mediation. Jeff is an Honors Graduate of Harvard Law School and a Phi… MORE >

Natalie J. Armstrong-Motin

Natalie J. Armstrong Motin is a Mediation Business Strategist | ADR Practice Development Consultant | Social Media Marketing Management for mediators and arbitrators around the world. She is the founder of Will Work For Food, host of the Idle Chat video series for the ABA's Section for Dispute Resolution, and… MORE >

David Shraga

Negotiator, Litigator and Mediator Specializing in Entertainment, Intellectual Property, and Media Matters David Shraga brings legal sophistication, sound business judgment, and executive experience to every dispute he handles.= He’s led legal and business affairs at premiere global studios, overseen countless negotiations and productions, and advised some of the world’s most… MORE >

Jean Lawler

I help Attorneys and Parties simplify and resolve Complex Insurance, Civil & Commercial Litigation, Professional Liability, ADA and Cyber/Privacy Litigation by finding SOLUTIONS that bring RESOLUTION and CLOSURE so that the Parties can get on with their businesses and lives unencumbered by the uncertainties, risks and expense of litigation. I… MORE >