The Resolution Room

Damien Van Brunschot
  • 5.0 (2)
  • MANAGEMENT

As someone who's always had a keen interest in the dynamics of leadership and the intricacies of mediation and negotiation, I found myself at a crossroads where I wanted to connect the dots between these passions and my professional journey. This is how "The Resolution Room" was born. A podcast designed to discuss topics around leadership, mediation, negotiation and team building. You might wonder, why the name "The Resolution Room"? This title encapsulates the dual purpose of my mission at Evolve Resolve: resolving claims and elevating leadership. I've found that in professional services, many people overlook the transition required to move from being a skilled technician to becoming an effective people leader. This transition is both a challenge and an opportunity - one I intend to explore through my podcast, with insights from my own experiences and conversations with insightful guests. The podcast is an avenue not only for me to share my insights and learnings but also to engage with like-minded individuals who are curious about leadership and resolution. I hope you'll find value in the conversations that unfold in The Resolution Room. Thank you for joining me on this journey. Links: Website: https://www.evolveresolve.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damien-van-brunschot-95b05755/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@evolveresolve

  1. Big Law, New Law, and the Future of Law with Dr George Beaton

    5 MAY

    Big Law, New Law, and the Future of Law with Dr George Beaton

    I sat down with Dr George Beaton, one of the sharpest minds on the future of the legal profession, to talk about what is changing and what is staying stubbornly the same. George has a rare mix of academic and commercial credibility, with a background in medicine, an MBA and PhD, senior fellow roles at the University of Melbourne’s business and law schools, and decades advising professional service firms through Beaton. He is also the author of books New Law, New Rules and Remaking Law, so he is not guessing at trends. He has been watching them form for years. We cover the difference between Big Law and what George calls New Law, without the hype. Big Law still runs on familiar settings like hierarchy, billable hours and the partnership model, and it remains highly profitable. New Law, on the other hand, is more agile, more tech enabled, often more project based and far more willing to rethink pricing and ownership structures. We talk about what is actually driving the shift, including client expectations, business model pressure and the growing influence of technology and AI. We also get practical about what this means for lawyers and leaders right now. George shares his view on the skills that will matter more as the market evolves, including judgment, relationships and broader life experience, not just technical competence. If you are curious about where the profession is heading and how to stay relevant without chasing every new trend, this conversation will give you a clear and grounded way to think about it. Guest Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/georgerbeaton/ Website: https://beatonglobal.com/ More From Damien: Website | LinkedIn | YouTube WORK WITH ME: Book a Mediation or a 15-minute Discovery call with Damien: https://www.evolveresolve.com/booking Website: https://www.evolveresolve.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/damien-van-brunschot YouTube: @evolveresolve Email: damien@evolveresolve.com

    24 min
  2. Conflict is Data, Benefit from it: Workplace Mediation with Tania Waters

    21 APR

    Conflict is Data, Benefit from it: Workplace Mediation with Tania Waters

    Tania Waters is a conflict management specialist, accredited mediator, and conflict coach who has spent years in senior global roles across HR and legal services. She founded Taite in 2021 and now focuses exclusively on workplace mediation. In this conversation, we get practical about why mediation is still underused in workplaces and why bringing it in earlier, rather than after an investigation, can change the entire trajectory of a conflict. We talk about what investigations can unintentionally do to people’s positions and emotions, especially in the classic he-said-she-said scenarios where nobody feels seen at the end of the process. Tania explains why workplace mediation is not about proving who is right or wrong. It is about sense-making, hearing each other’s experience, and working out how to move forward without ending up in the same place again. We also discuss why some organisations prefer the label facilitated conversation, and the real advantage of an external mediator, not just skill, but independence and psychological safety for the people in the room. Finally, Tania shares a few ideas that will stick with you, including her view that conflict is data and that mediation can be a powerful leadership development tool. We also touch on the shift in expectations around psychosocial hazards, why law firms can still be surprisingly conflict-averse, and what sustainable change can look like when people actually have the conversation they have been avoiding. CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 Tania Waters, Workplace Mediation Specialist 01:17 Why Mediation Is Underused in HR and How to Fix It 02:45 When to Investigate vs. When to Mediate Workplace Conflict 04:39 How Mediation Shifts Perspectives and Breaks Entrenched Conflict 05:23 Mediation Is Not About Right or Wrong, It's About Sense-Making 07:35 Facilitated Conversation vs. Mediation: Why Labels Matter 12:41 The Superpower of Independent External Mediators 14:20 Personality Clash Is a Myth: The Real Root Causes of Workplace Conflict 21:00 Conflict Is Data: Using Workplace Conflict as a Leadership Tool 21:25 Mediation for Leadership Development and the REWA Conference Talk 23:08 Tania's Business Philosophy: Quality Over Scale 24:04 Workplace Mediation Specialisation and Keeping Skills Sharp Guest Links: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/taniawaters/ Taite Website: https://taite.com.au/ More From Damien: Website | LinkedIn | YouTube

    26 min
  3. Avoidance Behaviour and Impostor Phenomenon in Professional Services with Michael Schiffner

    7 APR

    Avoidance Behaviour and Impostor Phenomenon in Professional Services with Michael Schiffner

    Michael Schiffner has spent years helping professionals get better at business development, and this conversation gets to the heart of why that matters. As the founder of Collective Intelligence and former National Business Development Coach at KPMG, Michael brings a practical and refreshing perspective to an area many lawyers still resist. We talk about why BD is such a pain point in professional services, why so many people confuse it with selling, and how that misunderstanding gets in the way of building strong, long term client relationships. A big part of the discussion focuses on what actually drives growth. Michael explains that effective business development is not about being pushy or performative. It is about trust, generosity, consistency, and staying front of mind. We also explore the research behind The Activator Advantage and the three behaviours that sit at the centre of it: commit, connect, and create. One of the more useful parts of the conversation is Michael’s challenge to the idea that only extroverted rainmakers succeed. He makes a compelling case that introverts can be highly effective in BD when they lean into their own strengths. We also spend time on the internal barriers that make BD harder than it needs to be. Fear of rejection, perfectionism, and competing commitments all show up in this conversation, along with the stories professionals tell themselves about why they are not naturally good at this part of the job. Michael shares how his coaching work, including his wisdom circles, helps people work through those patterns and build habits that are realistic and sustainable. If business development has ever felt awkward or unnatural, there is a lot in this conversation that will shift the way you think about it. CHAPTER MARKERS 00:00 Michael Schiffner and the BD Problem 01:25 Why Professional Services Firms Struggle with BD 02:26 Business Development Versus Selling 05:49 Why Introverts Can Succeed in BD 09:10 The Activator Advantage 09:45 Commit, Connect, Create 14:00 Fear, Perfectionism, and Mindset Blocks 17:22 Wisdom Circles and Coaching 20:29 Hidden Barriers to Action 22:01 Why BD Is a Long Game Guest Links: LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelschiffner/ WEBSITE: https://collectiveintelligence.au/ More From Damien: Website | LinkedIn | YouTube WORK WITH ME: Book a Mediation or a 15-minute Discovery call with Damien: https://www.evolveresolve.com/booking Website: https://www.evolveresolve.com/ LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/damien-van-brunschot YouTube: @evolveresolve Email: damien@evolveresolve.com

    26 min
  4. The Data Behind Your Workplace Culture with David Talbot of Talbot Mills Research

    24 MAR

    The Data Behind Your Workplace Culture with David Talbot of Talbot Mills Research

    I sat down with researcher and political pollster David Talbot (Talbot Mills/The Enactor Group) to discuss his background in politics and polling, including his work with Jacinda Ardern during COVID. We also unpacked his workplace culture survey and what it means for generational engagement and leadership. David explained the methodology: around 1,000 Australians were surveyed using a weighted, census-matched representative sample. We discussed how pay and job security remain the top drivers when choosing a job across all age groups, including those aged 18–29 (pay 56%, security 51%), pushing back on myths that workplace perks attract Gen Z. We explored what respondents define as a ‘good workplace culture’—a non-toxic environment (19%), mutual respect (17%), and teamwork (15%)—and why most people are positive about their current workplaces despite nearly half dreading work and concerns about office politics. We also covered how under-30s prioritise career development and mobility, as well as the sharp AI anxiety among younger workers, with 62% expecting their job could be replaced within five years, with implications for morale, retention, and policy.

    21 min
  5. Shine Lawyers Managing Director Simon Morrison on 38 Years at the Firm

    10 MAR

    Shine Lawyers Managing Director Simon Morrison on 38 Years at the Firm

    I recently caught up with Simon Morrison, Managing Director of Shine Lawyers, for a proper behind the scenes chat about what it’s like to spend 38 years inside one firm and still be hungry for what’s next. Simon and I both come from Toowoomba and went to St Mary’s, so there’s a shared thread running through the conversation, but the real story is how a small local practice became one of the biggest names in the country. Simon takes us back to 1988 when he joined Shine and the firm was tiny, doing mostly conveyancing, and then walks through the moments that changed everything. We talk about the late 1990s push interstate, why they made the call, what they learned the hard way, and how Shine grew into a national firm known for personal injury and class actions. It’s a candid look at growth that wasn’t always neat, but was always deliberate. We also get into the bigger swings, including Shine’s move onto the ASX and what it’s like running a listed law firm with the scoreboard ticking over every day. Simon shares why he’s now spending serious time building Shine’s international presence, particularly in the United States and New Zealand, and what’s driving that ambition. If you’re interested in leadership, long game career decisions, and how big firms actually expand, you’ll get a lot out of this one. Guest Links: https://www.shine.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/simon-morrison-087434/ More From Damien: Website | LinkedIn | YouTube

    26 min
  6. Transforming Resolution with Trauma-Informed Mediation: Julie Somerville

    24 FEB

    Transforming Resolution with Trauma-Informed Mediation: Julie Somerville

    In this episode of The Resolution Room, I sit down with Julie Somerville, a former solicitor turned mediator who has built a national reputation for her trauma-informed approach. Julie has been recognised in the New South Wales market, listed in Doyles for the last five years, and named Mediator of the Year (Australian ADR Awards) in 2022. We talk about why trauma-informed practice matters in civil claims, and what it looks like when a mediator is deliberately designing the process to support better decision-making. Julie shares what drew her into mediation, including her experience in defendant practice and the shift she saw in the post Royal Commission environment. We discuss the kinds of matters she mediates now, including sensitive and highly emotional claims such as historical abuse, birth trauma, nervous shock, catastrophic events, and compensation to relatives claims. We also explore why traditional, lawyer-driven approaches can fall short in these settings, and what lawyers on both sides can do to better support their clients through the process. We then unpack the practical tools and mindset behind trauma-informed mediation. Julie explains trauma at a high level, how it can show up in the room, and why it can affect a person’s ability to process advice and make decisions. She also shares examples of how small, thoughtful process choices can change the tone and safety of a mediation, and we finish with a candid discussion about vicarious trauma, compassion fatigue, and the self-care systems Julie uses to stay present in demanding work. Guest Links: R3 Resolution's Website: https://r3resolutions.com.au/Julie's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliesomerville/Law Society of Scotland Trauma-Informed Justice Modules: https://www.lawscot.org.uk/members/cpd-training/online-cpd/trauma-informed-training/Legal Society of New South Wales Trauma-Informed Legal Assistance: https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/for-lawyers/professional-development/lawyer-education-series/trauma-informed-legal-assistanceWhat is Trauma-Informed Mediation: https://r3resolutions.com.au/what-is-trauma-informed-mediation-a-practical-explanation-for-lawyers-and-their-clients/ More From Damien: Website | LinkedIn | YouTube

    33 min
  7. Be Distinctive, Not Different: Law Firm Marketing with Dan Toombs

    10 FEB

    Be Distinctive, Not Different: Law Firm Marketing with Dan Toombs

    In this episode, I sit down with Dan Toombs, founder of law firm marketing agency Practice Proof, who took an unorthodox path from his early days at St Mary’s in Toowoomba into law, social justice work and eventually two decades at the forefront of digital strategy for lawyers. Dan understands the legal profession from the inside, which is exactly why his take on marketing feels both practical and grounded. We talk about what most law firms get wrong about “being different” and why the real goal is being distinctive. Dan unpacks brand salience and the long game of staying top of mind, plus we discuss a standout example from Shine Lawyers and how memorable branding can cut through a crowded market without relying on the usual legal clichés. We also explore StoryBrand and why positioning the client as the hero matters in professional services, particularly when clients are stressed, time poor and trying to make sense of a complex process. Finally, Dan shares his candid view on how AI is starting to reshape SEO and legal marketing, what is still unclear, and what firms should be paying attention to right now. Links: https://www.practiceproof.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/marketinglawfirms/ Website | LinkedIn | YouTube

    26 min
  8. Travis Schultz on Growing a Law Firm from 8 to 80 Employees Without Marketing

    27 JAN

    Travis Schultz on Growing a Law Firm from 8 to 80 Employees Without Marketing

    I recently sat down with Travis Schultz, a name deeply respected in the Queensland legal market and the founder of Travis Schultz and Partners. This episode is about leadership in personal injury law, what it takes to build a firm with a strong culture, and how to stay commercially sound without defaulting to the usual corporatised playbook. Travis and I go back to 1988 when we finished school, and we start by tracing his path from going straight into articles to stepping into partnership and management early, and what that hands on start taught him about both law and the business of law. We then unpack the origin story of Travis Schultz & Partners, including the market context in Queensland and the events that led Travis to start again after the Slater and Gordon acquisition of Schultz O’Brien. Travis shares what he set out to build, how the firm evolved, and why relationships and reputation still matter more than most people admit. Finally, we talk culture and leadership. Travis reflects on the choices he has made around how the firm operates, the behaviours he has tried to leave behind, and the practical lessons he has learned about autonomy, accountability, and addressing issues early. If you’re interested in the realities of running a modern law firm, this conversation is a grounded look at what that actually involves. Links: https://www.schultzlaw.com.au/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/travis-schultz-law/ Website | LinkedIn | YouTube

    26 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

As someone who's always had a keen interest in the dynamics of leadership and the intricacies of mediation and negotiation, I found myself at a crossroads where I wanted to connect the dots between these passions and my professional journey. This is how "The Resolution Room" was born. A podcast designed to discuss topics around leadership, mediation, negotiation and team building. You might wonder, why the name "The Resolution Room"? This title encapsulates the dual purpose of my mission at Evolve Resolve: resolving claims and elevating leadership. I've found that in professional services, many people overlook the transition required to move from being a skilled technician to becoming an effective people leader. This transition is both a challenge and an opportunity - one I intend to explore through my podcast, with insights from my own experiences and conversations with insightful guests. The podcast is an avenue not only for me to share my insights and learnings but also to engage with like-minded individuals who are curious about leadership and resolution. I hope you'll find value in the conversations that unfold in The Resolution Room. Thank you for joining me on this journey. Links: Website: https://www.evolveresolve.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/damien-van-brunschot-95b05755/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@evolveresolve

Information

  • Creator
    Damien Van Brunschot
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    27
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Evolve Resolve
  • Show Website
    The Resolution Room

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