Mediation and neutral work

A neutral third party for workplace conflict.

I help organizations understand what is actually happening in a conflict before anyone tries to resolve it. I work as an independent neutral: confidential, impartial, and focused on a clear, fair picture of the facts.

Book a Perspective Session

Free, 30 minutes. A confidential first conversation.

When I'm brought in

A conflict between two members of a team.
Tension between a leader and a direct report.
Friction across functions or departments.
A situation where you need to understand what is actually happening before you decide what to do.

How I work as a neutral

Neutral fact-finding

I hold confidential, structured conversations with each party, keep my own views in check, and report back accurately and without taking sides. You get a clear, fair picture of the facts and the perspectives, so you can make an informed decision.

Facilitated mediation

When the people involved want to work it out themselves, I facilitate a structured conversation that helps them understand each other and reach an agreement they can live with.

Workplace collaboration training

Hands-on training in active listening and communicating constructively across disagreement and differences in perspective. Organizations often bring me in when tension is already present.

About the training

What to expect

1
A first conversation. You and I talk through the situation and who is involved, and I tell you honestly whether and how I can help as a neutral.
2
Confidential conversations. I speak with each party separately, listen before I draw any conclusion, and keep my own views out of it.
3
A fair account, or a facilitated session. Depending on the work, I report back what I heard, accurately and without taking sides, or I bring the parties together for a structured conversation.

Background and qualifications

I'm on the Minnesota Roster of Qualified Neutrals, with a master's degree in the study of law, with an emphasis in conflict resolution, from Hamline University. Alongside the neutral work, I've spent my career running complex organizations: enterprise technology, regulated manufacturing, and operations carrying real budgets and real teams.

That is why organizations bring me in when tension is already present. I understand how the work actually runs, so I can listen to what is happening on both sides of a disagreement.

FAQ

What is the difference between fact-finding and mediation?

Fact-finding is about understanding. I speak with each party and report back accurately and without taking sides, so decisions can be made on a fair picture of what happened. Mediation is about resolving. I help the people involved reach an agreement themselves. Many situations start with one and end up needing the other, and we decide which fits in the first conversation.

Who usually brings you in?

Owners, executives, and HR leaders, typically when tension or conflict is already present and they want an impartial person to look at it.

Is what I share kept confidential?

The conversations are confidential. Before we begin, I explain exactly what that means for your situation, including anything that is shared back and with whom.

How long does it take?

It depends on the situation and how many people are involved. You and I scope it together in the first conversation.

Do you have a bio I can share?

Yes. Feel free to copy this one.Brian Hanley is an independent neutral and founder of The Alignment Company, an advisory and facilitation practice. He is on the Minnesota Roster of Qualified Neutrals and holds a master’s degree in the study of law with an emphasis in conflict resolution from Hamline University. He brings more than 30 years of business experience across enterprise technology, regulated manufacturing, and organizational operations.Brian has designed and delivered workplace collaboration programs for organizations across the Twin Cities, including the Minnesota State Fair. These organizations often engage him when tension or conflict is already present, and the work focuses on active listening and communicating constructively across disagreement and differences in perspective.Brian’s work centers on understanding what is actually happening in a situation before anyone tries to resolve it. He conducts confidential, structured conversations with each party, keeps his own views in check, and reports back accurately and without taking sides. His goal is a clear, fair picture of the facts and perspectives so that organizations and individuals can make informed decisions.

What if I've already worked with you in another capacity?

Tell me up front. If a prior relationship with anyone involved would compromise my neutrality, I will say so and help you find the right person.

Start with a conversation.

A Perspective Session is a short, confidential conversation about your situation and whether I am the right person to help.

Book a Perspective Session

Free, 30 minutes. No pressure, no pitch.