What is the best way to transition into a conflict resolution career?

The first step is to put yourself in a position to “try on the hat” to see if this is a good pathway for you. If an organization you are employed in has a union, there is an opportunity to be on a bargaining team. In some regions the court system might seek mediators to resolve issues and there might be training opportunities and experimenting there . Human resources or law school are also good places to try on the conflict resolution hat - this is not an area for everyone and some people in conflict resolution today grow to hate its or simply enjoy fighting so much that it changes them. Try on the hat before you dive into this or you might face burn out quickly.

It's crucial for conflict resolution service providers to align with individuals possessing a resolution-oriented mindset—a readiness to negotiate, rationality, and a willingness to introspect and grow. Engaging with those who actively seek self-improvement through conflict resolution becomes an opportunity for meaningful change. It's about fostering a collaborative environment where both parties commit to resolving issues by looking within and evolving, rather than solely seeking external solutions. This approach ensures a more productive and transformative conflict resolution process.

Follow your passion. If an ADR career is a good fit , you'll know very quickly. I would learn everything about the field by researching the association and studying the works of the leaders in the field such as Bernie Mayer, Noam Ebner, Colin Rule and Zena Zumeta. These are just a few of the notables. I would check out the leading universities in the ADR profession namely Harvard, Creighton and Pepperdine. Finally, try to observe live mediation sessions. Again, make sure that ADR can or will become part of your DNA. The best mediators are engrossed in the profession. There are many in the middle and at the bottom of the profesion. Strive to enter the top 20% of the professional field, otherwise, ADR will never catch hold of you.

I agree with all of the suggestions in Point 2. Experience is critical to your success. Volunteer as often as possible to mediate, observe or assist a seasoned professional. It is important to transfer theoretical knowledge into practice. I learned to put disputants at ease by speaking in a calm and reassuring tone and manner. I observed this skill by mediating with Ms. Mary Morris of the Wayne County Dispute Resolution Center in Detroit, MI. She mastered the art of helping people to surface their needs and concerns leading to resolution. Do likewise by finding a mentor(s) in your area.

The wisest advice that I ever received was to become a specialist in a particular aspect of ADR. The days of the ADR generalist are numbered. The field and the disputants are demanding subject matter expertise to address their unique and particular needs. For example, you might specialize in resolving workplace conflict or working within specific ethnic groups to address their particular interests. Becoming a subject matter expert(SME) requires 5-10,000 hrs of study, practice and experience. Do not be intimidated by the numbers because the hrs. of experience will accumulate quickly especially since you'll be deep into your practice.

To successfully transition into a conflict resolution career, time must be taken to develop expertise as is the case in any profession. The best conflict resolution professionals I've worked with are deeply compassionate people who desire to prevent suffering, create empowered people who shed fear and actualize their potential, who maximize opportunities of connection and community, and are highly skilled communicators. They've often experienced loss or severe challenges themselves and gain redemptive insight along the way. Their "failures" created resilience, tenacity, and seeing a challenge from multiple perspectives. They're life-long students of human evolution and behaviors, always growing and adapting in order to relate.

This point supports my position on becoming a subject matter expert(SME) in a specific area of the ADR field. Indeed, the profession is a dynamic and ever changing one. Do not jump on the bandwagon of the latest fad, but consider carefully where there is the best long term fit for you and your clients. Conflict and disputes will always be with us, and some of the issues are universal if not eternal. Adapt and change with the times;however, stick to the classic areas of conflict resolution with a strong niche or related niches in your areas of expertise.