Optimising Decision-making, Stimulating Innovation & Improving Performance
By building individual & organisational negotiation and conflict competence
ABOUT
From being a law professor, human rights practitioner and consultant to teaching at leading business schools in South Africa and Europe, I’ve dedicated my life to helping organisations and their people improve their negotiation and conflict competence. Based on more than 35 years of professional experience, my steadfast belief remains that with the right tools, mindset and skills, most conflicts can be turned into opportunities for both organisational and personal growth.
I help leaders and their organisations build negotiation competence,
foster conflict-positive environments, and resolve disputes constructively.
EFFECTIVE WORKPLACE SOLUTIONS VIRTUAL
BOOK LAUNCH
This insightful session, delegated by Juta’s Publisher, Jayde Butler, features expert authors Barney Jordaan & Ulrich Stander , along with guest speaker Shelagh Goodwin, as they discuss practical strategies for managing workplace challenges.
Topics covered include:
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The latest workplace trends and labour law updates
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Practical solutions for HR and legal professionals
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Strategies to create effective & compliant workplace policies.
Services
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Hands-on negotiation & conflict training
To equip leaders and teams with practical, impactful skills with immediate application.
For more than 35 years, I have trained and consulted to organisations in a variety of industries and have taught negotiation and conflict management at leading business schools in Europe and South Africa. My audiences range from postgraduate students to senior executives from global corporations.
My training philosophy is simple: Participants should leave not only inspired but equipped with practical tools they can apply right away.
My preferred training format is a three-day programme. The first two days focus on frameworks, principles, and highly interactive learning using games, case studies, and relevant simulations. A third day, scheduled a few weeks later, is dedicated to assessing the level of skills improvement and coaching. To ensure long-term value, I encourage organisations to provide follow-up support to participants.
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Helping Organisations Develop Organisational Negotiation Competence
To enhance organisational performance, create a competitive advantage and build sustainable business relationships.
Negotiation is not just a commercial skill - it’s a capability that can benefit everyone in an organisation. From internal discussions to supporting colleagues who negotiate with clients and customers, strong negotiation skills create value at every level.
Research shows that organisations thrive when individual negotiation skills evolve into a collective capability. This requires more than training; it calls for a shift in negotiation culture.
I help organisations achieve this transformation, starting with an Individual and Organisational Negotiation Competence Assessment. This structured tool evaluates negotiation strengths and gaps across the organisation, providing a clear roadmap to building competence to drive better business outcomes, a stronger relationships and create lasting competitive advantage.
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Creating a Conflict Positive Culture in Organisations
To turn conflict into opportunity and tension into innovation and collaboration.
Most organisations view conflict through a negative lens - as something to avoid, deny, or suppress. Yet, according to Patrick Lencioni’s Five Dysfunctions of a Team model, fear of conflict (along with absence of trust) is a major driver of low commitment, lack of accountability, and poor results in teams.
Research and experience show that when managed well, conflict can be highly productive. It reduces risks, sparks innovation, and strengthens relationships with colleagues and clients.
While conflict-handling skills can be taught, real organisational benefit comes from fostering a conflict-positive culture. I work with leadership teams to create this cultural shift, helping organisations embrace conflict as a driver of growth and collaboration.
As Nobel laureate Dr. Max Planck once observed: “When we change the way we look at things, the things we look at also change.”
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Mediation & Facilitation
To manage disputes efficiently, improve outcomes and preserve relationships.
I have been mediating business, commercial, legal, and workplace conflicts and disputes since 1990. Between 2010 and 2014 I acted as external consultant to the World Bank Group’s Office of Mediation Services.
My work also includes transactional mediation, where I facilitate negotiations and conflict resolution between parties in complex negotiations or conflicts to achieve constructive and sustainable outcomes.
I am Certified mediator with the following bodies:
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ADR Group (UK)
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Conflict Dynamics (South Africa)
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Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR, UK)
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The International Mediation Institute (IMI).
Since 2011 Who’s Who Legal: Commercial Mediation (now Lexology Index: Commercial Mediation) has recognised me as a leading commercial / business mediator in Belgium.
I can be approached via one of these organisations or directly for mediation-related matters, whether as mediator, advisor or representative.
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Wilderness Leadership Expeditions
“Being outdoors helps us think and see in new ways. When we’re in nature, we’re able to connect with ourselves, but also be moved to step outside of ourselves and see ourselves as part of a larger whole. Going back to Nature prompts us to reflect critically about ourselves, our personal and professional relationships, and our own place in Nature.” — Peter Senge & others (2004), Presence: An Exploration of Profound Change in People, Organizations, and Society.
Previously offered only as an MBA elective at Stellenbosch Business School, this unique programme is now available to small teams (5–7 participants). Guided by me and two experienced rangers, participants step into nature for a transformative experience designed to encourage reflection, strengthen relationships, and inspire new perspectives on both personal and professional life.
SOME COMPANIES I HAVE WORKED WITH
Trusted by global organisations for negotiation, conflict resolution, and leadership development.
EXPLORE SELECTED INTERVIEWS
These engagements with a variety of audiences address critical issues in mediation, negotiation, and conflict management in which I try to connect the best theory with practical application.
