Disputes are a fact of organisational life and should be dealt with swiftly and constructively.  They rarely are.

Some seem to think disputes might disappear through a peculiar process of osmosis with no effort on their part. However, this process does not exist.

Disputes typically have a particular shape or architecture - a series of spikes that grow and are amplified as the dispute spins out of control and various cumbersome procedures take over.

Those involved in a dispute are stuck deeply in the past or present with their fists literally or metaphorically up in the air. This is regardless of whether it is a breakdown in working relationships, a grievance or a disciplinary investigation. They cannot think about the future, much like these two youngsters from an 1892 comic.

I help resolve such matters in a manner which is confidential, swift, cost-effective and long-lasting. And the fists are never seen or felt again.

How do I do it? By getting the disputatious opponents to see the issues from above* and not from within the dispute.

*Abune is the Scottish Gaelic word for “above”.