Mediation Techniques

Principle: Mediation is a useful tool for resolving disputes between parties.

Promise: Effective mediation can lead to sustainable and satisfying resolutions for all parties

involved.

Playbook:

1. Understand the Roles and Responsibilities of a Mediator: Recognize that a mediator’s role is to facilitate dialogue, not to impose solutions. Mediators should remain neutral and focused on helping all parties reach a mutual agreement.
2. Prepare for Mediation: Gather information about the conflict and the parties involved. Preparation involves understanding the underlying issues and the interests of each party.
3. Facilitate Open Dialogue: Encourage all parties to express their feelings and viewpoints without interruption. Use active listening techniques to ensure that each party feels heard and understood.
4. Help Identify Solutions: Guide the discussion towards identifying possible solutions. Encourage creative problem-solving and ensure that all parties contribute to the discussion.
5. Ensure Agreements Are Clear and Understood: Once the parties reach an agreement, clarify the terms to ensure that everyone understands and agrees to them. It can be helpful to put the agreement in writing and have all parties sign it to prevent future misunderstandings.

Prompt: Consider a conflict that may benefit from mediation. Plan how you would prepare for and facilitate this mediation session. Think about the key issues to address and how you would ensure that all parties are heard and can contribute to a mutually satisfactory resolution.