MEDIATING WITHOUT CONVERSATIONS

If you are about to engage in mediation, here are some pointers you should consider.

1. Mediation is a staged process. At each stage the parties must not only speak. They need to listen.
2. The basic purpose of mediation is problem solving. To reach that objective, the mediator brings his training, and skill to the table to assist the parties in setting their grievances aside. Doing so lets him guide them to workable options.
3. Working out solutions requires dialogue. Since any conflict is at least two sided, each side needs to speak and to listen respectfully.
4. It’s always easier to speak than to listen especially if one party has a strong personality. Speaking comes naturally. Listening is an acquired skill.
5. So remember that in any mediation, speaking and listening are opposite sides of the same coin. In other words, conversations matter.