Mediation
As
a leader, manager, boss, teacher, or parent, the ability to effectively mediate
conflict is vital. Conflict among team
members, employees, students, and siblings inevitably will occur. Therefore, the leader is required to act as
the mediator, a neutral third party and assist “disputing parties in reaching a
mutually agreeable resolution” (Kovach, 2005, p. 304). In effort to mediate conflict, the
participants must progress through stages, as listed, which highlight the
essential occurrences in mediation.
1) Preliminary
Arrangements- This occurs before the actual mediation begins. It includes the referral, the selection of a
mediator, determines who will be in attendance, costs, and issues to be resolved.
2) Mediator’s
Introduction- Introduces the participants, describes the process, and sets
the ground rules.
3) Opening
Remarks- A presentation of each side’s views are expressed to the mediator.
4) Venting
/ Information Gathering- Inquiries are made from both parties and the
mediator in effort to gain a better understanding of the issues and what caused
them.
5) Issue
& Interest Identification- The mediator expresses the issues in
agreeable terms in effort to heighten parties’ understanding, acceptance, and
ability to find solutions. Agenda
setting, private caucus, listing options, and reality testing may ensue.
6) Bargaining
& Negotiating- The mediator helps the parties find trade-offs, which
will hopefully lead to a settlement, the…
7) Agreement,
followed by closure (Kovach, 2005).
Some experts consider the opening remarks,
venting and information gathering, and issue and interest identification as
the most critical for a successful mediation process. Each of these set the tone and basis of
understanding and building toward a favorable resolution. Once the disputants have openly voiced their
concerns, they may begin to accept and respect one another. If these steps are ineffective, the mediation
is severely impaired.
References:
Kovach, K. (2005). The Handbook of
Dispute Resolution. In M.L. Moffitt, R.C. Bordone,
Mediation
(pp.304-317). San Francisco,
CA: Jossey-Bass.
No comments:
Post a Comment