robert d. benjamin, m.s.w., j.d.
A street-smart approach to dealing with difficult matters effectively, realistically and responsibly.
Selected Articles:
- Game Playing in Negotiation: Evolutionary Purpose and Necessity---Machiavelli's Place At the Table (Article & AI Podcast) (21-Oct-24)
- The Natural History of Negotiation and Mediation: The Evolution of Negotiative Behaviors, Rituals, and Approaches (Article & Podcast) (15-Oct-24)
- On Becoming a Rationally Irrational Negotiator/Mediator: The 'Messy' Human Brain and the 'Myth of Rationality' (Article & Podcast) (4-Oct-24)
- The Natural Mediator (5-Nov-20)
- John Lewis Speech and Interview (1-Apr-20)
- The Joy Of Impasse: The Neuroscience Of ‘Insight’ And Creative Problem Solving (13-Mar-18)
- Character Traits Of Working Dogs And Conflict Mediators: ‘Systematic Intuition’ And Tenacity (4-Oct-17)
- Dogs As Conflict Mediators (5-Apr-17)
- On Being Too Fussy About Values In Mediation: Consider The Hedgehog And The Fox (10-Oct-16)
- The Risks Of Neutrality - Reconsidering The Term And Concept (12-Sep-16)
- Game Playing in Negotiation: Part 2, An Inventory of Strategies and Devices (27-Jul-16)
- Surviving Trump: Resisting the Corruption of Negotiation Practice (10-Feb-16)
- Complete list of articles
On-line Seminars, Tutorials, and Case Consultations
On-line seminars and private tutorials can be customized to your particular needs/situation for most all contexts including business, commercial, family, divorce, health care, employment, work place or other matters. Scheduled at a convenient time by telephone, Skype, Facetime or other internet mode, this option allows greater flexibility and savings on travel costs. CLE and CEU credit may be available. Proven especially helpful for:
- Business people and others thinking about how to approach an existing or potential business or personal controversy.
- Professionals seeking advice or advanced training in negotiation and mediation practice, theory and skills including:
- overcoming resistance to negotiation and marketing strategies
- managing high conflict and impasse
- managing financial and business issues
- ethical and professional issues
- teaching and training techniques
- application of neuroscience and cognitive psychology in decision making
- the use of art and graphics in mediation and negotiation - Professionals seeking consultation on matters in progress, including agreement formats, working with attorneys, counselors and other consultants.
Contact Robert to discuss fees and arrangements.
Presentations and Workshops
With over three decades of experience in the practice, writing and teaching of negotiation, meditation and conflict management, Benjamin is a compelling and engaging presenter known for his bold views in the field. He has established a reputation as a keen observer of the connections, importance and influence of negotiation in other disciplines and in popular culture.
Believing that competent practice requires a broad perspective, he has explored such themes as the similarity of warfare and negotiation strategies, theological and religious views of negotiation, the influences of classical physics and quantum theory, recent developments in neuroscience and cognitive psychology, the evolutionary history of negotiation behavior, negotiation in the political realm, and the presentation of negotiation in film, theater and the arts.
Presentations and workshops are tailored to your group's particular interests and needs. Available to both professional and private organizations. CLE and CEU credit may be available. Contact Robert to discuss presenting to your group or organization.
Courses and Trainings
Robert Benjamin conducts introductory, intermediate and advanced Negotiation and Mediation courses that can be customized for your area or organization. All courses are approved by ACR and regularly qualify for both CLE and CEU credit in most states. Courses are subject to enrollment minimums and maximums.
"Benjamin's courses are first and foremost practical. He is also provocative and offers rigorous, cutting-edge thinking in the field of conflict management."
-Jim Melamed, President, Mediate.com
"... One of the most intensive and highest quality learning experiences I have ever had."
-Betsy Stewart, Esq., Kansas City, MO
INTRODUCTORY AND INTERMEDIATE TRAINING PROGRAMS
- Professional-grade intensive courses covering strategies, techniques, skills and applied theory applicable to all dispute contexts OR designed with a specific focus on business, commercial, family, divorce, health care, employment, work place or other matters.
- Generally a 5-day/40-hour course design costs $1175/person, unless sponsored by a school or organization. Limited scholarships are available in some instances.
- Approved/available for CLE/CEU credit.
ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAMS
- 1-3 day designs are tailored to the specific concerns and issues of experienced practitioners or those who have completed an introductory or intermediate training program.
- Topics may include managing high conflict, dealing with impasse, power balance issues, creative problem solving, preparing effective memorandum of understanding, complex property/financial issues and working within the legal system. or a specific substantive dispute contexts, e.g. health care, workplace, or advanced family/divorce issues.
- Generally a 2-day private course design costs $525/person unless sponsored by a school or organization. Limited scholarships are available in some instances.
- Approved/available for CLE/CEU credit.
Register for courses by e-mail
Resources & Publications
See resources and publications
