Ep.42 - To Sue or Not to Sue? Seeking Creative Solutions with Mediator John Ford

On today’s cast, we have South African attorney turned professional American mediator, John Ford. We’re lucky to have him share the deep wisdom and insights he’s learned through his time working with people in conflict. John has discovered important tools for understanding the emotions and needs that drive division as well as how to use strategy and empathy to find the most effective win-wins for everyone involved. He began his career as a human rights attorney in Namibia, before moving to the Bay Area and pivoting to specialize in workplace mediation and training, which he’s now done for over 35 years. John teaches negotiation and mediation at UC Law SF (formerly UC Hastings) and has authored "Peace at Work: The HR Manager’s Guide to Workplace Mediation. He is the founder of John Ford and Associates, a firm dedicated to helping organizations manage workplace conflict through mediation, training, and coaching services. He is also the creator of The Empathy Set, a tool comprising cards designed to identify feelings and needs, promoting emotional intelligence and relational harmony. This tool has been adapted into The Empathy Set App, extending its accessibility and impact. Links: https://www.theempathset.com https://www.johnford.com https://www.empathyset.com/blog/2025/1/9/harnessing-emotional-energy-to-transform-conflict-in-mediation