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Donald v. Rosie — they need a mediator
26 December 2006I’m sure you have heard about the latest high profile spitting contest between Donald Trump and Rosie O’Donnell?
Living as I do, so close to New York City, everywhere I turn I see them in the news (we must have really slow news days, eh?)
This my friends, epitomizes why there will always be work for us to do in the world. Conflict is inevitable and it is everywhere.
Now, don’t get me wrong, Donald and Rosie are probably the last people on earth who would want to hire a mediator to mediate their dispute. But honestly, if this dispute isn’t appropriate for mediation, what dispute is?
Like most disputes, this one began with a little thing. It all started when Rosie spoke out against Donald’s position on Miss USA’s underage drinking on the TV show The View… she then referenced his marital history and associated him with a not so nice TV character.
Donald’s response was no further dignified on Larry King as he made personal attacks against Rosie and threatened to sue her “because it would be fun.”
Hopefully by now, Donald has cooled off and his lawyers have talked him out of suing Rosie.
A mediator could potentially do some good in this situation.
You have all the elements of an intractable conflict:
strong emotions– hatred, desire for revenge, anger, self-righteousness
bad behavior – accusations, ill will, name calling, and threats
It would appear that Barbara Walters is the only potential mediator among them with her statement in response to the theatrics:
“Both Rosie and Donald are high-spirited, opinionated people. Donald has been a friend of `The View’ for many years and Rosie, of course, is our enormously popular moderator,” the statement read. “We cherish them both and hope the new year brings calm and peace.”
Yes, indeed calm and peace, how illusive they are.
It is a sad state of affairs when high profile people are broadcast acting petty and childish.
As mediators, you know that no relationship is beyond repair. Indeed, one step toward apology, one step toward forgiveness, one step toward letting go of the anger and bitterness and desire for revenge. Just one step at a time.
One step toward thinking about your legacy on this earth. One step toward thinking about how you use your wealth and position of power.
One step toward thinking about how you use your soapbox broadcast to millions.
One step and then another and a bridge can be built over troubled waters.
Who will be the first to take the step toward a new future?
Think twice before you open your mouth.
The tongue has the power to destroy and the power to create…
Choose wisely.
Mediators, get busy, the world still needs you. Too often our humanity is defined more by the darkness of our hearts than by the beauty of our souls.
We all have the capacity within us for hatred or for love.
So be strategic, Donald and Rosie may not be inclined to call on you for help, but there are countless of others, who want a way out of the quagmire of conflict they find themselves in.
Cheers,
Kristina Haymes
p.s. don’t miss our end of the year sale at www.mediationmarketingsecrets.com expires 12/31 at midnight.
January 9th, 2007 at 2:37 am
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