If i've learned anything over the last 40 years of working in 'people' professions, it is that we all react or respond to conflict as we feel we must. Often without regard for the consequences. And equally important, that "reality is the bottom line." I probably overused this phrase given that one group of clients even had them inscribed on a tee shirt they presented to me during their victory celebration. Yet the reality I’ve observed over and over again is that human nature and differences will either bring us closer together, or alternatively, will create barriers between us. Outcomes inevitably depend on what we choose to do when in conflict, when relationships are in crisis.

How i arrived 'here'.

Born in North-central Europe to Polish parents, Holocaust survivors both, I wanted and needed answers which made sense to me about anything and everything, especially myself. Never accepting "just because I say so" as a sufficient reason to do anything, my favourite directive was and still is “prove it to me.” The lessons were invaluable, helping shape who I am today.

Morphing again and again and again… searching for who knows what.

Working on social and societal issues North and South of the border in the late 60s, I then moved into negotiating as a profession until 1979, when I jumped at the chance to move again into advocacy work. This time, and for the next eleven years, I served as the leader of a white-collar trade union. Along the way, I also earned an M.B.A. and, in 1992, a Chartered Mediator accreditation.

My experiences consistently confirmed that the theories and approaches presented by the Harvard Negotiation Project and negotiating gurus like Herb Cohen were right 'on the money'. Winning without fighting, Sun Tzu's aphorism paraphrased here, was my consistent goal as a negotiator.

By 1994, now in private practice as an organizational and workplace ‘peacemaker’, I was also able to recruit an exceptional team of associates under the Appropriate Resolutions™ banner. For the next ten or so years, we provided therapeutic services to organizations across Western Canada and the US. I was also privileged to be able to write and teach for professionals, another incredibly challenging and satisfying period in my ever evolving life.

Two of my dreams were also realized during this period thanks to the colleagues and mentors who shared their visions with me. Growing while doing what I loved, I participated in the development of the M.A. in Conflict Analysis and Management at Royal Roads University (RRU) in Victoria, BC, where I served for ten exciting years on what became The Peace and Conflict Studies Division Advisory Board. Almost simultaneously, I co-developed the Institute of Conflict Analysis and Management also in Victoria, serving as program coordinator on faculty.

HERE AND NOW.

Although writing has been a love of mine for many years, it had not been my main focus until then. This new direction first involved challenging myself to translate the ‘jargonized’, professionally focussed compositions into inspirational chronicles and anecdotes appealing to a wider audience. My wish is that these new offerings would stimulate learning for those who read them. This is what this website is all about. Please let me know if I’m on the right track or what might be 'more valuable'. Any feedback will always be welcome. Sincerely, Joseph Ravick

Text Box: Joseph Ravick , Strategic Coach, Freelance Writer A 'work in progress'; my condensed autobiography