12:30 - 1:00 p.m.

REGISTRATION & CHECK-IN

1:00 - 3:00 p.m.

Overview

In this seminar, Nina Meierding examines how culture and gender affect the way information is processed, communication and negotiation are experienced, power is exercised and understood, risks are evaluated, and decisions and agreements are reached. Ms. Meierding will explain how to move beyond traditional cultural and gender biases, and will then discuss practical techniques for professionals to address these dynamics in effective and creative ways.

Culture, Gender and Communication

Miscommunication often occurs from "how" we communicate rather than "what" we communicate. From cross-talking to interrupting, from rapport apologies to acknowledgment of blame, from direct speech to hedging, from ritual opposition to interest-based bargaining, this humorous but information-packed training provides specific skills for better communication. Whether these skills are used in mediations or negotiations, you will leave with a better understanding of what causes many of the culture and gender-related misunderstandings in communication styles as well as strategies for overcoming them.

Special Guest Lecturer
Nina Meierding, M.S., J.D.

Nina Meierding was the Director and Senior Mediator at the Mediation Center for Family Law in Ventura from 1985 - 2007 where she mediated over 4,000 disputes. She is an adjunct professor at Pepperdine University School of Law and Southern Methodist University, and has taught communication and culture seminars in England, Ireland, Sweden, Scotland, India and throughout the U.S. Nina has served as the President of the Academy of Family Mediators (AFM) and on the board of directors of the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR). Nina is the recipient of ACR's 2005 John Haynes Award for distinguished service to the field of dispute resolution.