Holding These Truths

Holding these Truths is an all-encompassing reference book that has been the backbone of my studies to successful negotiations, interpersonal relations, with applications in jurisprudence and administrative medicine. I appreciate the examples and exercises that combine psychology and behavioral health, diplomacy, and historic examples to guide our way to become reflective and empathetic individuals in our personal and professional lives. Dr. Erbe incorporates history, personal and professional experiences from her work to assemble a text for practical applications in the field of negotiation that has been a go-to text for my work in intercultural relationships within the workplace and beyond. Thank you again, Dr. Erbe!!!!"- Dr. Ava Hacopian, M.D.; M.A.;"Nancy Erbe has a gift for framing and reframing cultural conflict. Through case studies, theories and techniques, she guides the reader to understanding how to build cultural competency, avoid cultural conflict, and manage and resolve conflict. I found it transformational because she took tough topics such as value-based cultural conflict, and then helped the reader to reveal his or her own hidden bias. We all have them...it was just such a surprise to experience this level of self-inquiry through this book. I loved reading Holding these Truths, twice!"- Renée Mayne, Mediator; Arbitrator

• PrefaceAbout the AuthorBooks by Nancy ErbeIntroductionInstructor/Student Guide: Teaching CasesEmbracing Application CasesCASE STUDY 1: Fact Finding and Empowerment Within Conflict SystemsSection 1: Informational Gathering for Social Change (with Classical Ombuds)Catalyzing Critical Change with Toxic Systems: Speaking Truth to PowerEmpowermentALLIANCE BUILDINGCatalyzing Constructive Change with Toxic Systems: Critical ClarityPolarized Power StrugglesFacilitating Insight/Interest Identification/Skillful Astute ReframingProposed Third-Party CompetenciesSection 2: Cultural and Ethical Assessment—The Intrapersonal Challenge of Discerning Truth in the Face of BiasPerception and CognitionThird-Party Conflict Intervener CompetenceCASE STUDY 2: Negative Intergroup Influence: Dynamics and ResponseSection 1: Destructive Group Influence at Its WorstMeeting with Executive DirectorMeeting with Financial Director/Advisor to Religious TeacherMeeting with Various Community MembersMeeting with Long-Time Community MemberCultural ExplorationSample Conflict MetaphorTrust As An Essential Human Need in Democratic Conflict ProcessThe Johari WindowTheory to PracticeUnspoken CommunicationChallenges of Reading Nonverbal CommunicationProposed Third-Party CompetenciesSection 2: Cultural and Ethical Assessment of Groups At Their Worst—Systemic Power Abuse and ViolenceInterview with Human Resources DirectorInterview with Community Member/Professional PsychologistList psychologist's interestsInterview with Another StaffInterview with a ManagerConstructive LeadershipMediator Power BalancingInterview with a ManagerA Hero/ine-Warrior Character Defining Moral Choice OpportunityMediation Inappropriate In Face of ViolenceDynamics of ViolenceGender MessagesHuman Resources Contacts InvestigatorTheory to PracticeConflict MetaphorDeveloping Trained CapacitiesCreating Safe Inclusive Spaces Where Deep Understanding and Healing OccursTheory to PracticeReflective Listening: Level of EmotionsProposed Third-Party CompetenciesCASE STUDY 3: Covert Bad Faith and Power Abuse: Patriarchy's War Against All "Others": Women, Children, Minorities—All Who Are Vulnerable, Hold Less Power and Threaten the Status QuoSection 1: Empowered Response with Discrimination and ComplicityApplied Ethics, Authenticity (Congruence) and Third-Party EffectivenessThe Best Negotiators Do Not ReactSTORYTELLING NARRATIVE AT HEART OF MEDIATIONTrained Capacity: Mediator Reframing to Identify Most Important Underlying Need or ConcernTheory to PracticeCatalyzing Change/Social Justice in Entrenched Toxic SystemsAssessment of Toxic SystemsToxic Systems ContinuumThird-Party Intervener CompetenciesSection 2: Diffusing/Deescalating Possibly Violent Angry ConflictCreating and Holding Safe Inclusive Space Where All Are WelcomedPaying Attention and Being Attuned in Multicultural Interfaith CommunityPreventing and Managing Aggression with Angry Sensitive ConflictA Hero/ine Warrior Character Defining Moral Choice OpportunityExcellent Multicultural AssessmentProposed Working Assumptions to Guide and PromoteProposed Third-Party CompetenciesCASE STUDY 4: Complex Intergroup Process (Dialogue, Mediation, and Negotiated Rulemaking) The War Against Incarcerated, Including Innocent, Black and Brown Men with No Rehabilitation—Attempts to Effectively Reintegrate into SocietySection 1: Empowered Multicultural CollaborationTheory to Practice"Putting It All Together"Third-Party Facilitator Checklist: Careful ListeningChecklist"Building Blocks" or the Foundation FirstOption GenerationSome Pointers for Building IdeasOption EvaluationComparing Costs/Risks/Benefits of Mediation and LitigationThird-Party CompetenciesSection 2: Cultural and Ethical Assessment: Sufficient Party Capacity To Speak Truth to Power (Healing Trauma to Inspire and Catalyze Justice) Family, Marriage and Gender Wars with Children in the MiddleRegular Empathetic Listening as They Spoke Their Truth and Told Their Life StoriesCreating Strong and Safe Support When Grieving, Especially When Reliving HorrorsBuilding Strong Party Capacity and Speaking Truth to Power with Multicultural Interfaith Global CommunityProposed Third-Party CompetenciesReferencesIndex