A R O U N D C A M P U S
Joshua N. Weiss, Ph.D.,
Co-Founder of Harvard
Global Negotiation Initiative
Speaks at Chapel
Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Specialist and Author
Joshua N. Weiss, Ph.D., was the featured speaker during a
Third and Fourth Grade Chapel in the fall. Dr. Weiss is the
co-founder of the Global Negotiation Initiative at Harvard
University and a Senior Fellow at the Harvard Negotiation
Project. He read the boys his children’s book, Trouble at
the Watering Hole, in which a group of animals use effective
conflict resolution strategies to resolve their dispute over who
will have access to the watering hole.
Dr. Weiss discussed with the boys the variety of strategies
employed by the animals in the book to successfully resolve
their conflict. The boys then provided examples of situations
in their own lives where they could envision a conflict arising
with classmates. Through further discussion, the group
came to see that the key to resolving these conflicts is active
listening: taking the time to ask questions, truly listening
to answers, and being open to creative solutions. We all face
conflicts in our lives. Learning to work through them in a
civil, respectful and productive manner is an essential skill
for our boys to develop as they aspire to be good men.
54 • Saint David’s Magazine