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What is Mediation?
Mediation is a voluntary, collaborative process in which a 'third party' (the mediator) assists participants in naming, understanding, and resolving issues in dispute. Mediation is used by people who do not want others to make decisions for them, yet recognize their need for help in dealing with their conflict.
Advantages of Mediation
Mediation can be a very time and cost-effective way of resolving problems, when compared to court, lawsuits, arbitration, or plain old dug-in positions. It is a collaborative approach to conflict, seeking solutions that are acceptable to all parties. Mediation is cooperative in nature, rather than adversarial; people are encouraged to attack problems together, rather than each other. Relationships among the parties can be preserved, and frequently improved. Therefore, future negotiations or interactions can be made a little easier.
While being guided by an impartial professional, decisions are made by the parties themselves, after everyone’s needs and concerns have been understood and acknowledged. Thus, agreements and outcomes are "custom-made" for each particular situation.
Also noteworthy, mediation is a confidential process, allowing private matters to stay private.
Who Uses Mediation?
People who are in conflict with each other, yet, at the same time, recognize the need to resolve their differences in a way that allows them to maintain or rebuild their relationships.
A few examples:
Brothers and sisters struggling to settle estate or inheritance issues, or share the challenge of caring for ageing parents.
Contractors and other business people who want to find mutually-agreeable solutions to disputes, so that business relationships, reputations, or future opportunities aren’t damaged or destroyed.
Business Partners who are having trouble working together because issues or incidents have divided them.
Separating or Divorced Couples who need to settle their affairs, or cooperate on matters like a parenting plan, for the sake of their children.
Churches and other Faith Communities who want disagreements to help them grow, not divide them.
Will Mediation Work for Us?
Mediation is cooperative. As the mediator guides the negotiation process, you will be asked to identify and address your concerns. You must be willing to work at crafting new, mutually acceptable solutions that effectively address your needs as well as those of the 'other side'. "Win/lose" (or competitive) thinking must be left behind.
Mediation is future-focused. If you are willing to set aside the desire to determine who is to blame for past problems, and instead work together at finding more effective ways to move forward into the future, then mediation may be your best option.
The Mediator’s Role
Mediators are neither judges nor counselors; they don’t take sides or offer solutions. They act as process guides, helping to keep communication open, constructive and productive, so that good agreements can be built while maintaining relationships.
Preparing for Mediation
In mediation, you will be directly involved in defining your best possible future, in terms that make sense for your particular situation. You can prepare yourself for the conversation:
- Identify the issues (topics) that need to be dealt with.
- Be ready to explain your concerns (needs, desires, hopes, and fears).
- Be ready to listen to the concerns of the other(s) involved.
- Shift judgment to curiosity.
Mediation is a voluntary, collaborative process in which a 'third party' (the mediator) assists participants in naming, understanding, and resolving issues in dispute. Mediation is used by people who do not want others to make decisions for them, yet recognize their need for help in dealing with their conflict.
Advantages of Mediation
Mediation can be a very time and cost-effective way of resolving problems, when compared to court, lawsuits, arbitration, or plain old dug-in positions. It is a collaborative approach to conflict, seeking solutions that are acceptable to all parties. Mediation is cooperative in nature, rather than adversarial; people are encouraged to attack problems together, rather than each other. Relationships among the parties can be preserved, and frequently improved. Therefore, future negotiations or interactions can be made a little easier.
While being guided by an impartial professional, decisions are made by the parties themselves, after everyone’s needs and concerns have been understood and acknowledged. Thus, agreements and outcomes are "custom-made" for each particular situation.
Also noteworthy, mediation is a confidential process, allowing private matters to stay private.
Who Uses Mediation?
People who are in conflict with each other, yet, at the same time, recognize the need to resolve their differences in a way that allows them to maintain or rebuild their relationships.
A few examples:
Brothers and sisters struggling to settle estate or inheritance issues, or share the challenge of caring for ageing parents.
Contractors and other business people who want to find mutually-agreeable solutions to disputes, so that business relationships, reputations, or future opportunities aren’t damaged or destroyed.
Business Partners who are having trouble working together because issues or incidents have divided them.
Separating or Divorced Couples who need to settle their affairs, or cooperate on matters like a parenting plan, for the sake of their children.
Churches and other Faith Communities who want disagreements to help them grow, not divide them.
Will Mediation Work for Us?
Mediation is cooperative. As the mediator guides the negotiation process, you will be asked to identify and address your concerns. You must be willing to work at crafting new, mutually acceptable solutions that effectively address your needs as well as those of the 'other side'. "Win/lose" (or competitive) thinking must be left behind.
Mediation is future-focused. If you are willing to set aside the desire to determine who is to blame for past problems, and instead work together at finding more effective ways to move forward into the future, then mediation may be your best option.
The Mediator’s Role
Mediators are neither judges nor counselors; they don’t take sides or offer solutions. They act as process guides, helping to keep communication open, constructive and productive, so that good agreements can be built while maintaining relationships.
Preparing for Mediation
In mediation, you will be directly involved in defining your best possible future, in terms that make sense for your particular situation. You can prepare yourself for the conversation:
- Identify the issues (topics) that need to be dealt with.
- Be ready to explain your concerns (needs, desires, hopes, and fears).
- Be ready to listen to the concerns of the other(s) involved.
- Shift judgment to curiosity.
"Our task now is not to fix blame for the past,
but to fix the course for the future."
- John F. Kennedy
but to fix the course for the future."
- John F. Kennedy
Resources for
Separating or
Divorcing Couples:
MEDIATION...
CONFLICT RESOLUTION SERVICES