Mediation

Why:  Conflict between individuals or within groups is an experience common to all of us.  It can be costly and damaging to relationships and to the achievement of goals, however it can also present valuable opportunities for growth and change.   Mediation provides an excellent opportunity to deal with conflict constructively.

What:  Mediations are facilitated negotiations.  Individuals or the members of a group get together with a third party and work together to understand the key interests of the all parties and then to work together on the common problem of best satisfying everyone.

How:  The mediator generally meets with all parties separately as a first step.  These are important meetings where people give an overview of their interests and concerns.  The mediator in turn can explain the process, model the communication skills required for success and strongly encourage the party to prepare to communicate in a new way and bring a positive spirit and effort to the mediation.  Once these meetings are complete,  facilitated mediation meetings are scheduled and held with all parties and the mediator together.  The process basically follows three steps:

1) Parties express their interests and anything important about their situation.  The mediator helps ensure everyone has a chance to get everything important on the table.

2) Facilitated communication between parties on main interests. The mediator helps to get the parties speaking directly to each other and listening to each other on what is important.

3) Cooperative problem solving.  The mediator assists the parties in working together to best satisfy all interests.