conflict Archives -

It’s that time, friends. Knockman the Magnificent is here to answer your questions.

If you’re over 30, you may recall Carnac the Magnificent, the Eastern mystic on The Tonight Show who could divine unknown answers to unseen questions. He looked like Johnny Carson but wore a turban. His trick was to hold hermetically sealed envelopes up to his head and “ascertain” the answers to the unseen questions within.

Knockman the Magnificent is similar. He provides answers to important questions and aims for your funny bone. But there are three differences:

The questions come from you, not a sealed envelope, and are about real issues and concerns
Unlike Carnac, Knockman is a genuine mystic. He is inspired by the great 18th Century Jewish mystic, Nachman of Breslov, who believed each person has the potential to be virtuous and happy
Unlike Carnac, Knockman is a pragmatist interested in producing useful results

Here is your first chance to ask Knockman a question, and he will give you his answer in a special episode of The Amiel Show.

What’s one thing you want to know more about successfully resolving conflict at work?

My favorite slogan for much of the 2000s was We’re in this together. In difficult times–after 9/11, during major life transitions, and amidst family tragedy–I used it to remind myself that I was not alone and that others were looking out for me. I offered this phrase to others as encouragement to create networks of support for the challenging personal changes they were making. Or to remind them that nobody achieves success, happiness, or life by themselves.

We’re in this together is a phrase whose power derives not from its accuracy (because it’s not a factual assertion that can be proven true or false) but from its ability to shift our mood and orientation toward life. When we say these words, we become less resigned and resentful and more open to taking positive action.

Try it yourself now: Make sure your feet are flat on the ground. Sit upright. Lower your shoulders if they’re creeping up to your ears. Take three deep breaths, preferably from the belly. Now repeat the phrase We’re in this together three times. [Read more…] about We’ll get through this together [March 2012]