Kimberly Best, RN, MA, Mediator, Facilitator, Author

Best Conflict Solutions, LLC

Bestconflictsolutions.com Kimberly Best  RN, MA is a TN Rule 31 listed Civil mediator and a TN Rule 31 trained Family Mediator, owner of Best Conflict Solutions (http://www.bestconflictsolutions.com ) focusing on Collaborative Problem Solving in Healthcare, Small Business Mediation and Conflict Management, Organizational Conflict, Elder Mediation, Family and Relationship Mediation, Dialogue Facilitation, and Conflict Coaching.  She spent the first season of her career as a Registered Nurse in intensive care, trauma, and emergency medicine, where she cared for people in extreme need and gained valuable experience in the medical system. Kim attended graduate school at the University of North Carolina Charlotte in Clinical/Community Psychology.  She obtained a master’s degree in Conflict Management from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. Kim also trained in Transformative Mediation at Hofstra University, Healthcare Mediation at the University of South Florida, and Restorative Practices at the International Institute of Restorative Practices. She is an active member of Mediators Beyond Borders International and a working member of the ACR Elder Mediation Professional Development Group.  She also serves on the board of the Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators. The mission statement of Best Conflict Solutions is to use conflict as an opportunity to strengthen individuals and relationships by providing a safe, collaborative setting that empowers each person to make positive choices and informed decisions when faced with conflict.

Owner

ABA Section of Dispute Resolution

Executive Committee Member/Membership Committee Chair

FINRA

FINRA Arbitrator

Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators - TAPM

President/Chair

Mediators Beyond Borders International

Member/Consultant

Association for Conflict Resolution

Presented at 2017 National ACR Conference in Dallas on "How to Grow Your Mediation Business"

ACR Elder Care Developement Committee

Ever noticed how conflicts seem to spread like wildfire in high-pressure environments? Whether it's in a bustling healthcare system or a fast-paced corporate office, tensions can rise quickly, leading to a domino effect of issues. Overwork, understaffing, personality differences and relentless deadlines can fuel persistent conflicts, spike turnover rates, and increase absenteeism. It's a vicious cycle that affects not just the staff, but the quality of service they provide – be it patient care or client satisfaction.
At Best Conflict Solutions, we don't just put out fires; we dig deep into the heart of issues, crafting custom solutions for the people who keep our world running – from healthcare heroes to business trailblazers. Our approach is anchored in understanding the specific dynamics of your workplace environment, ensuring that every resolution we facilitate, or tool we teach is effective and meets the needs of your organization.

I am Kimberly Best, founder of Best Conflict Solutions. My conflict management and mediation training and experience, coupled with my nursing and psychological expertise, uniquely positions me to understand and address the complexities of conflicts in your organization.

My journey has taken me through nursing school, graduate studies in Clinical/Community Psychology at the University of North Carolina Charlotte, and a master’s degree in Conflict Management from Lipscomb University. With additional certifications from prestigious institutions like Pepperdine University and Harvard Law School, my skill set is comprehensive and diverse.

Currently serving as the immediate past president of the Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators, I am also a volunteer mediator for the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office.   In addition, I serve on the Executive Committee of the Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association. As a member of the Association of Conflict Resolution and a consultant for Mediators Beyond Borders, my goal is to facilitate resolutions that uplift individuals and organizations alike. 

I am also the author of “How to Live Forever, A Guide to Writing the Final Chapter of Your Life Story” and a sought-after speaker and trainer in conflict management, life transitions, and end-of-life decision-making.

At Best Conflict Solutions, we offer more than just conflict resolution.  Through customized interventions and training, we aim to restore harmony in workplace environments, promoting growth and collaboration, and enabling professionals to focus on what they do best.

Reach out to learn more.

"Grammy, there's 100 people in the world who don't know how to 'gotiate so that's why they need these cards, right?"   From the mouth of babes.

We have packaged the second printing of the cards, and for those worried about child labor laws, they get paid in popsicles.  Plus I made her and her 8 year old sister full partners of Best Conflict Solutions, LLC.  They'll love that come tax time!

This Best Conflict Conversation card deck is  conflict coaching in a box.  30 skills cards, 20 conversation cards.   Build conflict management skills and connection.  Reach out for more information.  I love feedback and comments.  
https://lnkd.in/emuezqdj 

A shout out to Leigh Williams who helped this dream become a reality.  Everyone says that the cards are beautiful.  Leigh is the design genius who took my words and idea, saw the benefit and helped make it a real tool.  
Jennifer Giesler Kelsea Best, Ph.D. #HR #humanresources #manager #conversation

Kimberly Best, RN, MA, Conflict Management, Author, Speaker

The Conversations We’re Not Having Cost More Than We Realize | Mediator & Coach | Court-Listed MO & TN | FINRA Arbitrator | Speaker & Author

Every week, I spotlight an extraordinary practitioner from the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution Incubator Program - a dynamic year-long collaborative dispute resolution practice-building program I facilitate alongside Charles McDaniel, Jr., Melinda Feldman, and Jack Gannon, and founded by Susan Guthrie.

This week's spotlight is a collaborative effort with our featured mediator, Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton.  I am delighted to introduce Debra. She has carved out a  much needed and distinctive niche in our field: mediating disputes involving animals.

Debra's transition from trial attorney to mediator wasn't just a career shift, it was a mission to transform how we handle conflicts in animal-related businesses, welfare and families. What shines through in how I experience Debra is her infectious passion, both as an animal advocate and as mediation practitioner.

I wish I'd known about services like Debra's years ago. Two of my adult children had their pets leveraged during difficult times, similar to how children get caught in adult disputes. Having a skilled mediator who understood both the legal complexities of pet ownership and the profound emotional bond we have with our animals could have made a big difference.

Debra has developed several method of dealing with conflicts that arise over animals in veterinary interactions, animal service provider disagreements, and families navigating pet-related disputes. In addition to her mediation practice, she's written a book, hosts her own podcast, speaks internationally and has developed a certification course, CAMS, to train other mediators in this specialized field.

Her niche is valuable because she recognizes that our relationships with our animals matter. Whether it's communication or treatment disputes in animals service  or veterinary medicine, pet custody issues, or communication challenges in animal welfare, Debra asks curious questions and creates collaborative pathways supporting discussions that traditional legal approaches cannot.

If you know legal professionals, veterinary practices, or families navigating complex conflicts involving animals, let them know about Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton at Hamilton Law and Mediation.  She has built something truly needed in our field.
#ABASectionOfDisputeResolution #Mediation #AnimalLaw #DisputeResolution

Every year I write a holiday conflict blog because I know how hard they can be.
The family dynamics. The expectations. The old wounds.
This year, I keep coming back to one question:
What if the hardest holiday conversation is with yourself?
My newest post explores how deciding who you’ll be before the holidays begin can change everything about how you show up. #story #holidays #Thanksgiving #conversation Best Conflict Solutions, LLC Kelsea Best, Ph.D.

View newsletter: Best Conflict Solutions 

Every year I write a holiday conflict blog. I do it because I know that many people – myself included - are silently struggling with the approaching h

Open article: 2025 Holiday Blog: What if the Hardest Holiday Conversation is with Yourself? by Kimberly Best, RN, MA, Conflict Management, Author, Speaker • 14 min read

2025 Holiday Blog: What if the Hardest Holiday Conversation is with Yourself?

AI is a tool, not a replacement.  I’m a firm believer in this and I’m constantly surprised at how I’m required to “know my stuff” rather than let my favorite AI, Claude, think for me.  He makes some crazy mistakes.  I bounce stuff off of him and sometimes he has great ideas but more often than not, we collaborate and I can refine my own ideas into the vision (or words) that I want.

I've been working with Claude on updating the backend of my website  last week, and in the middle of reorganizing  pages, Claude made an error in his recommendation.  I told Claude that he was wrong.  His reply:

"OH SHIT. You're right. I mixed them up."

Wait!! What??  Yep.  That happened.

I'm still shocked.  Yet it was quite the reminder:
The work still requires YOUR brain. AI can generate, organize, and structure content faster than I ever could.  He makes an interesting thought partner.  But it can't replace the judgment call of "wait, that's not right," and he certainly can't speak for me.

If you're using AI for anything—marketing, writing, strategy—stay in the driver's seat. Review everything. Catch the errors. Make sure the content is YOUR voice.  Because these tools will make some stuff up!

And when your AI says, "oh shit," you know you've got a sassy one. 

Anyone else have funny AI moments ?
#AItools #ContentCreation #ConflictResolution Anthropic #machineintelligence

If you're looking for a REAL expert in marketing and growing your business for mediators, lawyers, and entrepreneurs and want to build a profitable practice, Susan Guthrie is THE person to reach out to.   I've known a lot of people who came to be able to do this, but in my decade of being an entrepreneur, I can say no one comes close to Susan's skills, care, and commitment.  #marketing #entrepreneur #law #disputeresolution

I recently received a message that started like this:

“My marketing is mostly a failure. I post on LinkedIn, write blogs, and record videos, but they rarely lead to new clients. I get views and comments, but not cases.”

This kind of message is one I hear often from professionals who reach out for coaching.

They are not doing anything wrong. They are doing what they have been told to do: create, post, and share, but they are still not seeing results.

The problem is not effort. It is alignment.

If your visibility does not translate into trust, and your trust does not translate into opportunities, then you are stuck in the cycle of creating without connecting.

That is exactly why I wrote The Thought Leadership Playbook. It helps professionals shift from chasing visibility to building credibility and trust in ways that actually lead to meaningful business growth.

You can be the best at what you do, but if no one understands your value or how to work with you, the world never benefits from your expertise.

Does this sound familiar? You are not alone, and there is a better way forward.

Check out the book - it’s short and to the point,  but full of actionable tips and insights so that you can stop spinning your content creation wheels and start building your thought leadership funnels!

🔗 https://amzn.to/4omvUWj

#ThoughtLeadership #ProfessionalGrowth #PracticePlaybookSeries #MediationPractice #LegalProfessionals #VisibilityToCredibility #BusinessDevelopment

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OK my Dispute Resolution, Peace Building, Bridge Building friends.  This one's for you - and everyone else trying to bring their best to the world.  I think this will bring a smile to your face.   Thank you Kelsea Best, Ph.D. for sharing with me! 
NAFCM: National Association for Community Mediation Association of Missouri Mediators Southern California Mediation Association Tennessee Association of Professional Mediators - TAPM #keepgoing #thankyou
https://lnkd.in/evY9GS5Z

Open article: LaNia the Artist on Instagram: "👏🏾YOU’RE👏🏾STILL👏🏾GOING👏🏾 And if you’re in a season where you feel ready to rise into what’s next creatively, spiritually, and in your sense of self, I have two pathways for you!! 📖 Your next chapter might be reclaiming your creative power. I created a 100-page ebook that helps you finally understand why you freeze, overthink, procrastinate, or feel “behind. by instagram.com

LaNia the Artist on Instagram: "👏🏾YOU’RE👏🏾STILL👏🏾GOING👏🏾 And if you’re in a season where you feel ready to rise into what’s next creatively, spiritually, and in your sense of self, I have two pathways for you!! 📖 Your next chapter might be reclaiming your creative power. I created a 100-page ebook that helps you finally understand why you freeze, overthink, procrastinate, or feel “behind.

I was speaking to Julia Silber (Ruvelson) Mendelow of the Association of Missouri Mediators yesterday about how touched and grateful I am for the warm welcome to MO.  As I begin my 2nd year here, a special thanks to Kathleen Bird for all of her help and guidance.  Thank you to Laurel Stevenson for introducing me to such a wonderful group of people.  Hope to see you at the conference on Friday, November 14!  #mediationtraining #conflictmanagement #communication

View company: Association of Missouri Mediators

🔹 Just 6 Days Until the AMM Conference! 🔹

We’re excited to share this exclusive interview with Kimberly Best, RN, MA, Conflict Management, Author, Speaker! Come get a sneak peek of what's to offer at the upcoming conference!

🎥 https://lnkd.in/gysxZk_i

Still need to register? Visit the link below! We hope to see you there.
https://lnkd.in/gNAR33Hs

#Mediation #ConflictResolution #Leadership #ProfessionalDevelopment #Communication #Healthcare

Open video: Kim Best Interview on youtube.com

Feeling overwhelmed about Thanksgiving? Join us for expert tips on navigating family dynamics, food stress, and self-care. Limited spots available, don't miss out! #ThanksgivingSurvivalGuide #FamilyDynamics #SelfCare #FoodPressure #Wellness Link in bio for more details and to get tickets.

Open article: Dreading Thanksgiving?  A Survival Guide for Food, Family & Making Memories by eventbrite.com

Dreading Thanksgiving?  A Survival Guide for Food, Family & Making Memories

This is a question that comes up often and Samantha Hardy outlines the options well.   Love to hear what works for you!   P.S. - want conflict coaching training?  Samantha Hardy is the best!!  #mediation #parties #conflictmanagement.

Open article: How Do We Get Party B to Agree to Mediate? by Samantha Hardy • 7 min read

How Do We Get Party B to Agree to Mediate?

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