Do Expectations Push or Punish Us?

Early in my ombuds career, I was told that conflict, more often than not, is driven by unmet expectations. Talking with participants in dozens, if not hundreds of large and small conflicts through, I absolutely agree. Almost always, unsatisfied expectations, whether verbalized or not, are at the root of interpersonal and even institutional issues. One

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informed informality

Six Reasons to Think Twice Before Speaking Poorly of Others at Work

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED OCT. 22, 2021 Back in kindergarten, you might have been told that if you don’t have something nice to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all. In many cases, you honor that precept, but sometimes, it is difficult. There may come a time when you feel an irrepressible urge to share bad news,

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Why the Ombuds Office Is Informal

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED FEB. 16, 2022   The International Ombuds Association’s Code of Ethics outlines four basic ethical principles: informality, independence, impartiality, and confidentiality. Each of these is necessary to the practice of an organization ombuds, and each offers benefits to both those who visit the office and the larger institutional community. I feel it will helpful to use

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Independence and the Ombuds

ORIGNALLY PUBLISHED MAR. 2, 2022   This is the second in a series of posts exploring the four ethical principles that serve as the foundation of the practice of an organizational ombuds: informality, independence, impartiality, and confidentiality. Today, I will share some thoughts on what independence means for ombuds and those who use their offices. Usually it

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Ombuds Impartiality and Multipartiality Explained

ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED MAR. 8, 2022   This is the third in a series of posts exploring the four ethical principles that serve as the foundation of the practice of an organizational ombuds: informality, independence, impartiality, and confidentiality. Today, I will share some thoughts on what impartiality means for ombuds and those who use their offices. The International

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From the Ombuds Archive

A Matter of Perspective

Originally published MAR. 14, 2022 I want to take the risk of breaking from my recent subject matter—the somewhat abstract but nonetheless crucial importance of the principles that guide organizational ombudship—to share a more personal view of conflict resolution. We all know someone who seems to delight in wringing any possible drop of tragedy from

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Returning to Campus–and Conflict | From the Ombuds

Originally published OCT. 22, 2021 I was fortunate to attend the Faculty Senate Retreat yesterday morning as a guest. This was the first Faculty Senate meeting I’ve attended in person, if memory serves, since February 2020. Much of the discussion centered on the uncertainties around classroom instruction in the upcoming semester, enforcement of mask mandates,

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New Audiobook: Boardwalk Playground

With all of the excitement around the International Ombuds Association‘s annual conference and the work needing attention upon my return home, I haven’t yet had a chance to share some moderately exciting personal news. Well, I haven’t had the chance until now, so here goes. My book Boardwalk Playground: The Making, Remaking, and Unmaking of

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atlantic city, author, book

You’re Not Happy; When Do You Do Something? | From the Ombuds

As UNLV’s Ombuds I tend to talk with people who aren’t happy about something or many things. Every case is different, but generally those who visit the Ombuds Office are facing a conflict of some type. One of the biggest questions they have is, “When is it time to do something about it?” And my

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Three More Takeaways from the Annual Report: Who, What, and How? | From the Ombuds

I have gotten a few questions about the UNLV Ombuds Office 2023 Annual Report, particularly about trends—how have concerns brought to the office shifted over the past three years? So I would like to take some time to discuss what I see when I look at the numbers, focusing on three big takeaways. First, I would

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Ombuds Office Releases 2023 Annual Report | From the Ombuds

We’re well into January, which means that the Ombuds Annual Report for 2023 has been completed. I want to talk with you a little about the report itself, and a little about UNLV since December 6. Because, in a way that I don’t know anyone was prepared for, the tragic murder of three faculty members and the

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Finding What’s Next | From the Ombuds

It has been nearly a month since we lost three of our teachers, colleagues, and friends in a senseless shooting, and it is still difficult to know what to say and what to do. The UNLV community has been through a traumatic event for which we have few guides. And very soon spring semester will

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