It started with chocolate on the couch and The Good Wife on the TV. One fictional mediation scene later, I was Googling courses and rethinking my entire legal career. 

When a fictional lawyer sparked a very real career pivot, I had no idea it would lead me from the courtroom to the mediation room. In this season opener, I share the story behind that shift: from practising family law to becoming a full-time mediator, and the surprising moments that reshaped how I understand conflict, especially at work. 

There’s the team leader who wore sunglasses indoors and channelled full Jack Nicholson energy, a colleague clutching a plastic brain stress ball, and some tough conversations that never made it into any training manual. 

More importantly, I unpack two things I’ve learned about workplace conflict -  insights that can help anyone trying to repair a fractured working relationship, rebuild trust, or move a difficult dynamic forward. 

This episode is for anyone navigating conflict and looking for a way through. 

Thanks for listening to Peace at the Water Cooler.

Conflict doesn’t fix itself, but it can shift, with the right conversation. If you’ve got a story, a question, or a workplace dilemma you'd like me to explore, connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email at (saranne@segalconflictsolutions.com.au)