Hosted by Jeff Walter, Founder and CEO of LatitudeLearning
In this insightful episode of the Training Impact Podcast, , host Jeff Walter welcomes Rubens Tilkian, a distinguished trial lawyer, mediator, and founder of Vertus Conflict Solutions. With a remarkable track record—over 70,000 successful agreements and more than 550 professionals trained in mediation—Rubens shares his transformative journey from litigation attorney in Brazil to conflict resolution pioneer now based in Miami.
Rubens begins by explaining his natural calling to become a lawyer, but it was his early realization that clients were often left dissatisfied even when they “won” in court that steered his focus toward mediation. For him, true success was about empowering clients to take ownership of decisions instead of outsourcing outcomes to judges or arbitrators. This principle became the foundation of Vertus: helping people and organizations not just resolve conflicts, but prevent them through proactive training and soft skills development.
Jeff dives deeper into Rubens’ pivot from legal litigation to creating Vertus, a firm dedicated to conflict prevention and resolution that operates outside the traditional legal framework. Rubens emphasizes that Vertus is not just about mediation; it’s about equipping people—whether in families, companies, or partner networks—with the tools to manage conflicts before they escalate. He distinguishes conflict management as an ongoing investment, not a reactive service reserved for moments of crisis.
A central theme of the episode is the undervaluation of soft skills in corporate settings. Rubens reveals startling statistics: although 93% of employers value strong communication, only 35% of U.S. organizations invest in soft skills training. This disconnect has serious consequences—high turnover, low engagement, and organizational dysfunction. Jeff and Rubens agree: treating training as a strategic investment (not just a cost center) is essential for long-term business health.
Rubens then outlines his philosophy that self-awareness is the cornerstone of conflict resolution. Whether dealing with internal dilemmas (like job dissatisfaction) or external ones (like interpersonal clashes), self-knowledge and emotional intelligence are prerequisites for meaningful resolution. HR departments often attempt to mediate workplace conflicts, but Rubens points out that employees typically mask the real issues out of fear of retaliation. This surface-level engagement does little to solve root causes. Third-party experts like Vertus create psychologically safe spaces that allow employees to open up, identify patterns, and drive real change.
When organizations bring Rubens in for training, the goal isn’t just team harmony—it’s measurable business outcomes. He describes typical client pain points: high attrition, departmental silos, low productivity. Rubens’ approach begins with interviews and diagnostics to understand the root issues. From there, custom training modules—ranging from emotional intelligence to active listening to self-reflection—are designed to fit the unique dynamics of each team or organization.
Rubens describes several training programs Vertus offers:
Read the Vertus Conflict Solutions Training Program Case Study for a more in depth look at their training programs.
Throughout the conversation, Jeff highlights how Rubens’ methodology aligns with the broader mission of the Training Impact Podcast: to reposition training—especially partner and program-level training—as a strategic lever for organizational growth. By sharing his own challenges during Vertus’ expansion to the U.S., Rubens models the very resilience and adaptability his programs promote.
He explains that while he had built a highly respected practice in Brazil (even authoring a book on mediation law), moving to Miami meant starting over. This leap, motivated by family and the desire for new challenges, underlined his belief in self-awareness, humility, and continuous growth. His own story, including how childhood exposure to family conflict led him unknowingly into mediation, adds depth and authenticity to his insights.
The episode concludes with a reminder that companies—and individuals—should not wait for a crisis to start developing conflict resolution skills. Rubens urges listeners to invest in self-awareness as a proactive strategy, not just a reactive fix. Training should be embedded into the culture of an organization, seen as a gift that fosters growth, retention, and productivity.
Jeff and Rubens close with mutual appreciation for the conversation, agreeing that transformational change begins with understanding yourself and those around you. For training leaders, business owners, or anyone navigating human dynamics, this episode offers a compelling case for why mastering conflict isn’t just good practice—it’s a strategic imperative.
Instagram: @rubenstilkian and @Vertus.usa
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/rubenstilkian
Website: https://iVertus.com.br/en/
WhatsApp (786) 913-1033
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