Yesterday morning I wrote about dispute resolvers need for integrity and character.

Today I focus on standards of behaviour – an essential part of a dispute resolver’s make up.

Ego is the danger here. We all need some ego because ego and self-confidence go together but too much ego is destructive. It distorts the norms of judgment as the dispute resolver (DR) moves away from calm objective analysis + action towards subjective intervention.

Excess Ego (EE) is apparent when the DR allows necessary self-confidence to develop into over-bearing + over-assertive behaviour. A chair is not there to dominate or to impose. She/He is the first among equals and must always be collegiate, polite, inclusive and respectful.

The DR needs to keep a check on himself/herself. Self-control + self-awareness matters. Ditch it and you set yourself above the proceedings and affect the whole process. Be confident but be modest. Intervene but do not over-intervene. Resist quips + asides.

Instead, be respectful and always appreciate that everybody present is a part of the whole with a role to play.