As I talk to people I have noticed that they often have negative feelings about mediation. Sometimes this stems from its association with uncomfortable legal processes. Other times may come from poorly managed sessions run by well-meaning, inexperienced or untrained ‘mediators’. Recently, during a presentation, a participant discussed the fear some people have about mediation. He called it “The M Word!” Hearing this, it became evident that for some people, ‘mediation’ is in fact a ‘dirty word.’

What is Mediation?

This made me think about how we view mediation and what we can do to improve that perception. Often, one person eagerly wants to mediate, but the other person isn’t interested or even opposes it. When this type of ‘stand-off’ occurs, the conflict usually remains. Changing people’s perceptions about mediation is important to me because I have seen first-hand how people benefit immensely from well-run mediations. Seeing positive changes in the demeanour of participants and knowing how this impacts their wellbeing is truly rewarding, not only for me, but for them as well!

To improve people’s understanding, I believe that we need to talk about what mediation actually does, instead of using its name or label. Through mediation, we help people clearly define their needs. I say ‘we’ because I often work with other professional mediators, using a co-facilitation model. We work together to explore solutions that meet each individual’s needs without harming the other party. Using a facilitative approach that gives the parties the ability to control their own outcomes puts the power to resolve conflict in their hands. If they truly understand this, it can be both exciting and liberating! You can read more about the process I use here: https://www.mediationinstitute.edu.au/mediation-explained/

As a nationally accredited mediator, I can certainly help parties reach sustainable and effective agreements. Contact me if you would like to know more about how I can help.