There’s a lone oak tree on the shore of Loch Lomond, at a place called Milarrochy Bay. Twisted by wind and time, it stands apart—its branches reaching across the bay, as if yearning across the water for the company of other oaks on the far shore. This painting began with soft watercolour washes to hold the quiet light of sunset, followed by charcoal to draw the tree’s distinctive form, the shape of the distant mountains, and the reflections in the water. As I worked, the painting became more than a landscape. It became a meditation on solitude, on connection, and on how beauty can take root in the most unlikely shapes. To many, the tree seems alone. And yet, I found myself wondering—what if it isn’t? What if beneath the surface, its roots are still entangled with others through ancient networks of mycelium? What if even in separation, there’s a thread of kinship and memory holding it in quiet relationship? This thought stayed with me: even when we stand apart, we are rarely truly alone. Whether through shared values, quiet support, or the invisible bonds of community, we remain connected—sometimes in ways we can’t immediately see. And just like the tree, shaped by solitude, our own unusual growth might hold something beautiful for others to witness, to recognise, to feel less alone themselves. This painting is called What the Roots Remember . It’s an invitation to reflect on the connections that sustain us, even when we feel isolated. It’s a reminder that longing is not weakness—it’s a gesture of hope, of aliveness. And it’s an offering to anyone who has felt on the edge: you are part of something deeper. The roots remember. A moment to reflect: When have you felt most alone—and what, or who, reminded you that you were still connected? Are there ways your own ‘twisted branches’ have become a gift to someone else? I’d love to hear what resonates for you. Visit my growing gallery of paintings.

In a world increasingly resembling a dystopian novel—complete with a cast of characters who would make George Orwell ’s head spin—it's time for the left to don a new hat: the hat of Radical Pragmatism . We’re living in an era where authoritarianism is strutting about like it owns the place, and dissent is being silenced with all the grace of a bull in a china shop. In Trump’s America, cruelty is the new black, and in the UK, even the Labour Party seems to be doing a reluctant tango with the right, all the while constantly sanctimoniously preaching about 'balancing the books ' as if it's some sort protective shield against the impact of their decisions. Let’s talk about the cuts to welfare support for disabled people —a group that has already been thrashed by 14 years of Tory austerity and incompetence. Imagine trying to stay afloat while being held underwater. As a disabled person I experience these anticipated cuts are like a cruel game of “Guess What’s / Who's Next?”. Spoiler alert: it’s exhausting and, frankly, further disabling. And it's not just my anxiety about how the cuts will affect me as I become more dependent on them with age and illness, it's the distress of fellow disabled people. The countless people who are denied basic support and have to fight tooth and nail in applying and appealing, only to have to be on the constant look out for when it will be taken away. It’s enough to make anyone scream into a pillow, but alas, that won’t change the tide. Meanwhile, the left is caught in a whirlwind of its own making. Small differences of opinion have turned into full-blown civil wars, complete with social media skirmishes that would make even the most seasoned gladiators cringe. Take the current debate around transgender equality: conversations can feel like a minefield, and the best of intentions often get lost in the crossfire. It’s a sad state of affairs when those who want to fight for justice end up retreating into their corners, afraid to say anything that might ruffle feathers or trigger a Twitter (or whatever it's called now) mob. But here’s the kicker: broad engagement and solidarity are our best weapons against the forces of cruelty and inequality. I felt it especially this week as other people's solidarity over the benefits cut proposals has deeply moved me and, in turn, motivated me to write this piece. And that’s where Radical Pragmatism comes in. It’s time to put aside our ideological purity tests and roll up our sleeves. Can we agree to work with a variety of people—even those we don’t see eye to eye with on every issue? Absolutely! In fact, it’s essential. Imagine if we approached activism like a potluck dinner. Everyone brings their own dish, and while some might be spicy and others sweet, the goal is to create a feast that everyone can enjoy. You might not love, or even be able to eat, every dish, but having a little of everything on the table is better than a banquet of bitterness. We can engage with those who might not share our views on every single issue while still standing firm against the overarching tides of authoritarianism and inequality. So, let’s embrace Radical Pragmatism as our secret weapon. It’s about doing the best we can in a world that often feels like it’s coming apart at the seams. Sometimes that's quiet conversations and small acts of kindness, and sometimes its loud and big. Let’s build bridges instead of walls, engage instead of retreat, and remember that our ultimate goal is social justice, not ideological purity. If we can do that, we might just turn the tide and create a world where kindness and compassion are the order of the day—rather than the politics of cruelty that currently reign. After all, in this wild ride of life, we could all use a little more understanding, a little more laughter, and a lot more solidarity.

You don't need to do it alone... Conflict is an inevitable part of life, whether it arises in personal or workplace relationships. People respond to conflict in different ways – some avoid or suppress it, while others see red and flare up (that fight or flight stress response). Culturally, conflict can express itself and be experienced in different ways too. The stiff upper lip is a well-worn British stereotype, where open conflict is a thing to be avoided at all costs, but under the surface, tensions simmer and sometimes erupt. Whatever your conflict response or culture, conflict is a natural feature of relationships, and working well with conflict can lead to positive changes in those relationships. By acknowledging and addressing conflicts, we can foster growth, understanding, and improved communication in our personal and professional lives. Mediation versus Conflict Coaching Mediation is often suggested to resolve conflict, but people may see involving an external party as a sign of failure. Conflict coaching provides an alternative or supplement to mediation. Unlike mediation, which involves a neutral third party facilitating dialogue between conflicting parties, conflict coaching provides individual support to navigate conflicts effectively. Benefits of Conflict Coaching Empowerment : Conflict coaching empowers people by helping them gain a deeper understanding of their emotions, needs, and values. This self-awareness enables them to navigate conflicts with confidence and assertiveness. For example, a manager who receives conflict coaching may develop the confidence to address interpersonal issues within their team. Improved Communication: Through conflict coaching, people learn effective communication techniques such as active listening, expressing emotions constructively, and managing difficult conversations. These skills enhance their ability to express themselves and understand others' perspectives, leading to more productive dialogue. Personal Growth: Conflict coaching promotes personal growth by encouraging people to reflect on their beliefs, assumptions, and behaviour patterns. It enables them to identify areas for personal development and empowers them to make positive changes. Stronger Relationships: By working through conflicts and developing effective communication skills, people can build stronger, more resilient relationships. Conflict coaching fosters understanding, empathy, and mutual respect, which are crucial foundations for healthy and fulfilling relationships. This might involve a team undergoing conflict coaching to improve collaboration and trust. In a world where individuals embrace conflict and work well with it, relationships would thrive with well defined boundaries. People would approach conflicts with curiosity and a commitment to understanding, rather than avoiding or escalating them. Conflict would be seen as an opportunity for growth and transformation, leading to deeper connections and more harmonious interactions. Conclusion Conflict coaching offers a powerful alternative or supplement to mediation, empowering individuals to navigate conflicts with self-awareness, enhanced communication skills, and a clear view of their desired outcomes. By embracing conflict and working well with it, we can transform our relationships, fostering understanding, growth, and healthy boundaries. In a world where conflict is navigated well, we open the door to building stronger connections and creating a more harmonious society. How we can help: One-to-one support to: Be an impartial sounding board to help you unpack issues Gain insight into the points of conflict and what you need from the relationship Understand your own conflict style and its influence on your approach Develop communication skills to give feedback, express feelings, and set boundaries Building conflict-resilient teams by: Developing shared team values and understanding their implications Gaining insight into individual conflict styles within the team Facilitating giving and receiving feedback, challenging behaviours in a compassionate and respectful way, and setting personal boundaries Ready to transform your approach to conflict? Contact us today to learn more about our conflict coaching services. Co-authored by Amanda Heenan LLM BSc(Hons) and Catherine Brys PhD MBA Biographies Amanda Heenan is an experienced and passionate equality, inclusion and human rights practitioner, with a Masters degree (LLM) in employment and equality law. She has experience of working across the public, private and voluntary sectors. Amanda is accredited as a good relations practitioner (by the Centre for Good Relations) - many of her projects involve building good relations in often contentious environments. She provided interim management support to a Scottish rape crisis centre, with a focus on managing change and developing good relationships, particularly between staff and Board members. Catherine Brys is an accredited mediator and good relations practitioner. She is also an experienced workplace coach and facilitator. She holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Mediation, Conflict Resolution and Negotiation from Strathclyde University and is accredited by the Centre for Good Relations. As a coach, facilitator and consultant she has worked with individuals and teams in the private and third sector to build better relationships and unblock conflict situations. Catherine is driven by helping people feel fulfilled and achieve more impact in what they do.