Creating mutual understanding in mediation sessions can be a challenge, especially when dealing with issues that are highly emotional or contentious. The mediation facilitator plays an essential role here in helping create a safe and productive environment for negotiating parties to discuss the issues at hand in an open and respectful manner.
The first step in creating mutual understanding is for mediation facilitators to take the time to listen attentively to each party’s position and understand their perspectives. This requires mediation facilitators to practice active listening skills and use appropriate communication techniques so that all parties feel heard and respected. Respectful dialogue is key, as it helps build trust between the parties and allows them to share their thoughts without fear of judgement or criticism.
In addition, mediation facilitators should also help each party understand the interests of the other side by providing “reality-check” statements such as “it seems like you feel XYZ…” or “let me see if I understand correctly…” These statements can help reframe conversations and encourage parties to focus on common interests rather than entrenched positions.
Mediation facilitators can also facilitate mutual understanding through mediator-led activities such as brainstorming exercises, conflict mapping techniques, collaborative problem solving strategies and facilitated discussion rounds where parties are encouraged to speak about how they view their situation from different perspectives. Through this process, mediation facilitators will often uncover shared interests between both sides that could lead towards resolution even if solutions are much less than ideal from either side’s perspective.
Another important factor in creating mutual understanding is having mediators maintain neutrality throughout the mediation process by avoiding any bias or favoritism towards one party over another. This means not taking sides nor making any suggestions on what solutions parties should pursue–rather, mediation facilitators should strive to empower negotiating participants with tools necessary for navigating difficult conversations while providing guidance when needed without influencing outcomes of negotiations directly.
Ultimately, creating mutual understanding during mediation sessions requires sensitivity, tactfulness, patience, creativity and strong interpersonal skills from mediations facilitators who understand how best utilize their knowledge of human psychology as well as negotiation techniques in order ensure everyone walks away feeling like they got something out of mediation even if resolution isn't achieved right away!
Here is a link for further reading:
- LinkedIn - Harriet Witchell - "5 Steps to Managing Difficult People in Mediations"