Mediation is becoming increasingly common because it saves time and money compared to going to court and allows both parties to own the outcome more than they would if a judge was in charge. On the other hand, a mediator is there to help facilitate a resolution that the parties themselves come up with. Attorney mediators learn early on to act as a conduit for information sharing between disputants. They hone their skills in dealing with varied personalities and situations as they gain experience (Kressel, 2014). A successful mediator facilitates communication between disputants and offers suggestions for a settlement without taking sides. In this essay, I will discuss my experiences as a mediator, both the things that went well and those that did not.
During the mediation process, I successfully applied my skills in effective communication. The mediation process could be compromised if participants cannot communicate effectively (Verderber & MacGeorge, 2016). It is critical that all parties engaged know how to communicate effectively and interpret the social dynamics of the others involved (Verderber & MacGeorge, 2016). Being able to regulate the smooth flow of information meant that I was an effective communicator and an expert in the communication process. As a skilled mediator, I understood my frailties and did my best to be compassionate toward individuals going through a difficult period. Since the individuals and situations a mediator encounters are often faulty or impaired, it is vital for them to have strong communication skills and humility in terms of being self-confident and fallible.
A kind and approachable demeanor was a great asset during the mediation process. All parties involved should perceive a good mediator as approachable, sympathetic, and polite (Mayer, 2012). I was able to focus my attention, understand the feelings and needs at the heart of each exchange, and come across as genuinely concerned about the welfare of both parties. The parties to a conflict are more likely to cooperate if the mediator shows empathy, uses good humor, and has a positive outlook.
When mediating with Kristy Lancaster and Joshua Benjamins, I lacked objectivity and needed to rephrase my words. The finest mediators are entirely neutral and do not let themselves become emotionally invested in any conceivable conclusion (Kressel, 2014). My failure was making myself look interested in the ultimate result even before a reasonable compromise was struck. Instead, as the mediator, I should have remained impartial throughout the process and given the impression of objectivity no matter the outcome. I will improve on my objective in the future by staying conscious of my implicit biases to avoid subjective opinions in conflict resolution.
In the mediation process, my lack of imagination did not work well. Effective mediation should be a creative process because skilled mediators can improvise amicable answers that do not appear obvious (Mayer, 2012). I messed up because I did not make it my mission to find creative responses that would make my role outstanding. I will work on my creativity in the future by applying ingenuity while reacting to scenarios arising in the mediation room since being ready to come up with solutions helps attain shared goals for a lasting resolution.
A good mediator helps parties communicate with one another and offers suggestions for a compromise without taking any sides in the dispute. A mediator’s communication skills and sense of self-confidence and fallibility are particularly important given the imperfect nature of the people and circumstances they encounter. To be successful, a mediator should be appreciated and trusted by all parties. The best mediators can keep an open mind and avoid taking sides. Mediation should be a creative process as skilled mediators improvise peaceful solutions that initially seem impossible.
References
Kressel, K. (2014). The mediation of conflict: Context, cognition, and practice. In P. T. Coleman, M. Deutsch, & E. C. Marcus (Eds.), The handbook of conflict resolution: Theory and Practice (3rd ed., pp. 817-848). Jossey-Bass.
Mayer, B. (2012). The dynamics of conflict: A guide to engagement and intervention. (2nd ed.). Jossey-Bass.
Verderber, K. S., & MacGeorge, E. (2016). Inter-act: Interpersonal communication: Concepts, skills, and contexts (14th ed.). Oxford University Press.