The Mediator's Handbook: Revised & Expanded fourth edition by Caroline C. Packar

Description: The Mediator's Handbook by Caroline C. Packard, Dr. Jennifer E. Beer, Eileen Stief, Elizabeth Elwood Gates The Mediators Handbook presents a time-tested, step-by-step model for helping people work through conflict from first contact through reaching a lasting resolution. The Toolbox section details the skills mediators need to understand conflict,facilitate the process, and help participants make decisions. FORMAT Paperback LANGUAGE English CONDITION Brand New Publisher Description The popular Mediators Handbook presents a time-tested, adaptable model for helping people work through conflict. Extensively revised to incorporate recent practice and thinking, the accessible manual format lays out a clear structure for new and occasional mediators, while offering a detailed, nuanced resource for professionals.Starting with a new chapter on assessing conflict and bringing people to the table, the first section explains the process step-by-step, from opening conversations and exploring the situation, through the phases of finding resolution-deciding on topics, reviewing options, and testing agreements.The "Toolbox" section details the concepts and skills a mediator needs in order to:Understand the ConflictSupport the people Facilitate the process Guide decision-making.Throughout the book, the emphasis is on what the mediator can do or say NOW, and on the underlying principles and core methods that can help the mediator make wise choices.Long a popular course textbook for high schools, universities, and training programs, The Mediators Handbook is also a valued desk reference for professional mediators, and a practical guide for managers, organizers, teachers and anyone working with clients, customers, volunteers, committees or teams. Back Cover THE CLASSIC RESOURCE FOR EFFECTIVE MEDIATION - NOW FULLY UPDATED AND EXPANDED A beautiful book, written with a deep understanding of the mediators art... -- Hideaki Irie, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Kyushu University Can you really make the classic book in its field even better? Authors Jennifer Beer and Caroline Packard prove the answer is a resounding "Yes!" Bravo! -- G. Richard Shell, Thomas Gerrity Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics, Wharton School of Business; author of Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People I have taught from previous editions for 25 years, and this new edition is even better, with new insights into conflict and new strategies that work. -- Susan Sgorbati, Director, The Conflict Resolution Program, Bennington College, Jones Chair for Social Activism. The Mediators Handbook presents a time-tested, adaptable model for helping people work through conflict. Now extensively revised to incorporate recent practice and thinking, it lays out the process step by step, from first contact with the parties, to forging a resolution. The "Toolbox" section explains each concept and skill mediators need to guide the process, support the participants and help them reach decisions. Long a popular course textbook used by universities, high schools, and training programs, The Mediators Handbook is also a valued desk reference for professional mediators, and a down-to-earth guide for managers, organizers, teachers and anyone working with clients, customers, volunteers, committees or teams. Jennifer Beer, PhD, an anthropologist, trainer, and facilitator, mediates in communities and organizations and teaches Negotiation & Dispute Resolution at the Wharton School. Caroline Packard, JD, a family and organizational mediator and trainer, led Friends Conflict Resolution Programs for fifteen years, and was before that a corporate litigator. Eileen Stief was a key early developer of the Friends Conflict Resolution Programs model on which the Handbook is based, and trained a whole generation of mediators. Flap THE CLASSIC RESOURCE FOR EFFECTIVE MEDIATION - NOW FULLY UPDATED AND EXPANDED A beautiful book, written with a deep understanding of the mediators art... -- Hideaki Irie, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Kyushu University Can you really make the classic book in its field even better? Authors Jennifer Beer and Caroline Packard prove the answer is a resounding "Yes!" Bravo! -- G. Richard Shell, Thomas Gerrity Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics, Wharton School of Business; author of Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People I have taught from previous editions for 25 years, and this new edition is even better, with new insights into conflict and new strategies that work. -- Susan Sgorbati, Director, The Conflict Resolution Program, Bennington College, Jones Chair for Social Activism. The Mediators Handbook presents a time-tested, adaptable model for helping people work through conflict. Now extensively revised to incorporate recent practice and thinking, it lays out the process step by step, from first contact with the parties, to forging a resolution. The "Toolbox" section explains each concept and skill mediators need to guide the process, support the participants and help them reach decisions. Long a popular course textbook used by universities, high schools, and training programs, The Mediators Handbook is also a valued desk reference for professional mediators, and a down-to-earth guide for managers, organizers, teachers and anyone working with clients, customers, volunteers, committees or teams. Jennifer Beer, PhD, an anthropologist, trainer, and facilitator, mediates in communities and organizations and teaches Negotiation & Dispute Resolution at the Wharton School. Caroline Packard, JD, a family and organizational mediator and trainer, led Friends Conflict Resolution Programs for fifteen years, and was before that a corporate litigator. Eileen Stief was a key early developer of the Friends Conflict Resolution Programs model on which the Handbook is based, and trained a whole generation of mediators. Author Biography Dr. Jennifer E. Beer, PhD, combines mediation experience with her cultural anthropology background to lead courses and workshops in mediation, conflict resolution, and cross-cultural communication. She regularly teaches a negotiation course at Wharton (University of Pennsylvania). Author of the Mediators Handbook and of Peacemaking in Your Neighborhood, she has mediated conflicts and facilitated meetings for communities and organizations for 30 years. She lives in Pennsylvania.Caroline C. Packard, JD, is an organizational change and conflict response specialist and mediator with 30 years experience in the field. A graduate of Yale College and NYU School of Law, and a former corporate litigator with extensive formal training in individual and group psychology, Caroline has a special interest in the evolutionary psychology of group conflict and cooperation. She provides mediation and conflict-resolution services and training to organizations, families, and family businesses. She lives in the United StatesEileen Stief developed the mediation process and principles documented in The Mediators Handbook, and trained a generation of mediators to work with community, multi-party, and environmental disputes. Now retired, she led the Friends Conflict Resolution Programs experiment in community dispute settlement and later specialized in environmental mediation. She lives in the United States.Elizabeth Elwood Gates provided the delightful cartoon illustrations in honor of her aunt, Ann Richan, who was a passionate champion of community mediation. Table of Contents PrefaceOverview What is mediation? A useful tool What makes mediation work? The mediators role The anatomy of the mediation process The anatomy of a session Process-centered mediation Guiding principles Mediation termsTHE PROCESSGetting to the Table Can mediation help this situation? How people find a mediator Voluntary or mandatory? Initial conversations Do they want to participate? Defining the scope Approaching the other parties Should I be the mediator? Pre-mediation agreements and review Choosing a location The Mediation Session Part I: Exploring the Situation Preparing yourself, co-mediators Setting up Opening Opening: Welcome & warm-up Opening: Logistics Opening: Orientation Opening: Participants role, willingness Listening to Each Perspective The Exchange The Exchange: Facilitating The Exchange: Tasks & flow Clarify information Check out interpretations Listen for their concerns Example + impact Restate their interests Note other relevant interests Encourage empathy and reconciliation Transition to Reaching Resolution Separate Conversations Uses for Separate Conversations Breaking for Separate Conversations Separate Conversations: TemplateThe Mediation Session Part II: Reaching Resolution Reaching Resolution Reaching Resolution: Sequence Topic List Topic List: Why it is crucial Topic List: Drafting Topic List: Wording Midpoint check-in Options Options: Together come up with ideas Options: Gut, interests, workability Options: Reality testing Decisions Decisions: Gut, interests, workability Decisions: Emotions, hesitations Writing the Agreement Writing the Agreement: Specifics Writing the Agreement: Positive framing Closing Afterwards: Wrapping up Multiple sessionsTHE TOOLBOXUnderstanding Conflict Disputes & conflicts Metaphors for understanding conflict The conflict core Common effects of conflict The pleasures of conflict When things heat up The way out is through The Conflict Triangle People, Process, Problem Which mode are you in?Supporting the People Supporting the people: Main skills Setting the tone Level of formality, taking notes Confidentiality in practice Giving your full attention Elements of full attention Acknowledging Handling judgmental remarks Protecting From adversarial mode to cooperative mode Avoid this Kettle of Fish Attending to comfort & accessibility Language and hearing difficulties Working with people in all their variety Finding commonalities Scenarios: Emotionally difficult situations 111Facilitating the Process Facilitating the process Impartial facilitation Structuring the session Structuring the discussion When you can be directive When to consult Keeping on track Crafting questions Crafting questions: Word with care Crafting questions: Spin it positive Crafting questions: Follow up for clarification Kinds of rewording Reflecting back Summarizing Summarizing: Its many uses Working visually When to intervene When to intervene: Stopping the momentum When to intervene: Slowing the process down Is it time to quit? Ending a mediation Scenarios: Facilitation challengesSolving the Problem Participants starting point: Power & rights Changing the "positions" mindset Interests Layers of interests Why interests matter Finding space for solutions Reframing Checking out (mis)interpretations Lies, perceptions, deceptions Plain description of facts and needs Flip it! ? Outcome-focused interests Tactful wording of interests and topics Summary of interests Topic List examples Eliciting ideas: Brainstorming Eliciting ideas: Opening up possibilities Can mediators suggest options? Visual aids for making decisions Types of resolution "Typical" or "good enough" resolutions What-ifs Fallbacks: Contingencies, uncertainties Step-down agreements: Smaller scope When theres no agreement Final review: Workability Final review: Future Sample agreements Scenarios: problem-solving challenges 173Going Further Going further Adapting the process Mediating with children & teens Mediating across generations Mediating family conflicts Mediating employee conflicts Participant evaluation Mediator evaluation of a mediation Evaluating yourself The Handbook "soup pot" Authors & contributors Organizational supportIndex Review Can you really make the classic book in its field even better? In this book, authors Jennifer Beer and Caroline Packard prove that, when it comes to mediation, the answer is a resounding "Yes!" This new edition of The Mediators Handbook provides new tools, new scripts, and new frameworks that will assist experienced practitioners and novices alike. Based on up-to-date research foundations from anthropology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience, the authors take us by the hand and lead us step-by-step through the mediation process, suggesting concrete strategies to help people in conflict work through difficult emotions to actionable ideas for resolving their disputes. Bravo! - G. Richard Shell, Thomas Gerrity Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics at the Wharton School of Business and author of Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People The fourth edition of The Mediators Handbook continues to improve upon everything that made the original edition a success: user-friendly explanations for every step of the mediation process, starting with what mediation is, to dealing with the most difficult situations that can arise in the course of a dispute. While the Handbook presents itself as being for mediators, those who should have a copy of the Handbook on their shelf include lawyers representing clients in litigation, human resources executives, managers of complex international infrastructure projects, or school counselors dealing with difficult teenagers. In short, The Mediators Handbook is a comprehensive and practical guide for anyone who regularly deals with conflict. - Michael McIlwrath, co-author of International Arbitration and Mediation: A Practical Guide, and host of the podcast "International Dispute Negotiation" Plenty of mediation books will give you the kind of language ordinary mediators use - the same language we are used to hearing from other helping professions, such as lawyers, and therapists. What these authors let us in on - is the secret language of outstanding mediators. They generously share hundreds of examples of carefully chosen phrases mediators can use at every step that make the difference between knowing what needs to happen next in mediation, and being able to make it happen. - Hideaki Irei, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Kyushu University The upgrades done to the 4th edition make it a VERY usable manual and I will most definitely recommend it to anyone looking for this kind of manual. When I run my course next year this will be THE manual I have students buy. - Jonathon Rudy, Elizabethtown College, Global Peacemaking Scholar-in-Residence The Mediators Handbook is the basic primer for anyone who is seriously interested in resolving conflicts constructively. I have used it in my classroom for the last twenty years. This new edition gives us even more insights and practical suggestions for how to deal with the complexity of disputes in many different kinds of situations. Beer, Packard and Stief are masters in the mediation field and have much to offer us. An essential addition to the current scholarship and practice. - Susan Sgorbati, Jones Chair for Social Activism, and former Dean of Faculty, Bennington College The Mediators Handbook continues to be solid, and speaks to the needs of the participants. - Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Ph.D., International Peace and Conflict Resolution, School of International Service, American UniversityCan you really make the classic book in its field even better? In this book, authors Jennifer Beer and Caroline Packard prove that, when it comes to mediation, the answer is a resounding "Yes!" This new edition of The Mediators Handbook provides new tools, new scripts, and new frameworks that will assist experienced practitioners and novices alike. Based on up-to-date research foundations from anthropology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience, the authors take us by the hand and lead us step-by-step through the mediation process, suggesting concrete strategies to help people in conflict work through difficult emotions to actionable ideas for resolving their disputes. Bravo!-- G. Richard Shell, Thomas Gerrity Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics at the Wharton School of Business and author of Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People The fourth edition of The Mediators Handbook continues to improve upon everything that made the original edition a success: user-friendly explanations for every step of the mediation process, starting with what mediation is, to dealing with the most difficult situations that can arise in the course of a dispute. While the Handbook presents itself as being for mediators, those who should have a copy of the Handbook on their shelf include lawyers representing clients in litigation, human resources executives, managers of complex international infrastructure projects, or school counselors dealing with difficult teenagers. In short, The Mediators Handbook is a comprehensive and practical guide for anyone who regularly deals with conflict.-- Michael McIlwrath, co-author of International Arbitration and Mediation: A Practical Guide, and host of the podcast "International Dispute Negotiation" Plenty of mediation books will give you the kind of language ordinary mediators use - the same language we are used to hearing from other helping professions, such as lawyers, and therapists. What these authors let us in on - is the secret language of outstanding mediators. They generously share hundreds of examples of carefully chosen phrases mediators can use at every step that make the difference between knowing what needs to happen next in mediation, and being able to make it happen.-- Hideaki Irei, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Kyushu University The upgrades done to the 4th edition make it a VERY usable manual and I will most definitely recommend it to anyone looking for this kind of manual. When I run my course next year this will be THE manual I have students buy. -- Jonathon Rudy, Elizabethtown College, Global Peacemaking Scholar-in-Residence The Mediators Handbook is the basic primer for anyone who is seriously interested in resolving conflicts constructively. I have used it in my classroom for the last twenty years. This new edition gives us even more insights and practical suggestions for how to deal with the complexity of disputes in many different kinds of situations. Beer, Packard and Stief are masters in the mediation field and have much to offer us. An essential addition to the current scholarship and practice.-- Susan Sgorbati, Jones Chair for Social Activism, and former Dean of Faculty, Bennington College The Mediators Handbook continues to be solid, and speaks to the needs of the participants.-- Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Ph.D., International Peace and Conflict Resolution, School of International Service, American UniversityCan you really make the classic book in its field even better? In this book, authors Jennifer Beer and Caroline Packard prove that, when it comes to mediation, the answer is a resounding "Yes!" This new edition of The Mediators Handbook provides new tools, new scripts, and new frameworks that will assist experienced practitioners and novices alike. Based on up-to-date research foundations from anthropology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience, the authors take us by the hand and lead us step-by-step through the mediation process, suggesting concrete strategies to help people in conflict work through difficult emotions to actionable ideas for resolving their disputes. Bravo!-- G. Richard Shell, Thomas Gerrity Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics at the Wharton School of Business and author of Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People The fourth edition of The Mediators Handbook continues to improve upon everything that made the original edition a success: user-friendly explanations for every step of the mediation process, starting with what mediation is, to dealing with the most difficult situations that can arise in the course of a dispute. While the Handbook presents itself as being for mediators, those who should have a copy of the Handbook on their shelf include lawyers representing clients in litigation, human resources executives, managers of complex international infrastructure projects, or school counselors dealing with difficult teenagers. In short, The Mediators Handbook is a comprehensive and practical guide for anyone who regularly deals with conflict.-- Michael McIlwrath, co-author of International Arbitration and Mediation: A Practical Guide, and host of the podcast "International Dispute Negotiation" Plenty of mediation books will give you the kind of language ordinary mediators use - the same language we are used to hearing from other helping professions, such as lawyers, and therapists. What these authors let us in on - is the secret language of outstanding mediators. They generously share hundreds of examples of carefully chosen phrases mediators can use at every step that make the difference between knowing what needs to happen next in mediation, and being able to make it happen.-- Hideaki Irei, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Kyushu University The upgrades done to the 4th edition make it a VERY usable manual and I will most definitely recommend it to anyone looking for this kind of manual. When I run my course next year this will be THE manual I have students buy. -- Jonathon Rudy, Elizabethtown College, Global Peacemaking Scholar-in-Residence The Mediators Handbook is the basic primer for anyone who is seriously interested in resolving conflicts constructively. I have used it in my classroom for the last twenty years. This new edition gives us even more insights and practical suggestions for how to deal with the complexity of disputes in many different kinds of situations. Beer, Packard and Stief are masters in the mediation field and have much to offer us. An essential addition to the current scholarship and practice.-- Susan Sgorbati, Jones Chair for Social Activism, and former Dean of Faculty, Bennington College The Mediators Handbook continues to be solid, and speaks to the needs of the participants.-- Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Ph.D., International Peace and Conflict Resolution, School of International Service, American University"Can you really make the classic book in its field even better? In this book, authors Jennifer Beer and Caroline Packard prove that, when it comes to mediation, the answer is a resounding Yes! This new edition of "The Mediator s Handbook "provides new tools, new scripts, and new frameworks that will assist experienced practitioners and novices alike. Based on up-to-date research foundations from anthropology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience, the authors take us by the hand and lead us step-by-step through the mediation process, suggesting concrete strategies to help people in conflict work through difficult emotions to actionable ideas for resolving their disputes. Bravo!" G. Richard Shell, Thomas Gerrity Professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics at the Wharton School of Business and author of "Bargaining for Advantage: Negotiation Strategies for Reasonable People" "The fourth edition of "The Mediator s Handbook "continues to improve upon everything that made the original edition a success: user-friendly explanations for every step of the mediation process, starting with what mediation is, to dealing with the most difficult situations that can arise in the course of a dispute. While the Handbook presents itself as being for mediators, those who should have a copy of the Handbook on their shelf include lawyers representing clients in litigation, human resources executives, managers of complex international infrastructure projects, or school counselors dealing with difficult teenagers. In short, "The Mediator s Handbook "is a comprehensive and practical guide for anyone who regularly deals with conflict." Michael McIlwrath, co-author of "International Arbitration and Mediation: A Practical Guide, " and host of the podcast International Dispute Negotiation "Plenty of mediation books will give you the kind of language ordinary mediators use the same language we are used to hearing from other helping professions, such as lawyers, and therapists. What these authors let us in on is the secret language of outstanding mediators. They generously share hundreds of examples of carefully chosen phrases mediators can use at every step that make the difference between knowing what needs to happen next in mediation, and being able to make it happen." Hideaki Irei, Associate Professor, Faculty of Law, Kyushu University "The upgrades done to the 4th edition make it a VERY usable manual and I will most definitely recommend it to anyone looking for this kind of manual. When I run my course next year this will be THE manual I have students buy." -- Jonathon Rudy, Elizabethtown College, Global Peacemaking Scholar-in-Residence The Mediator s Handbook "is the basic primer for anyone who is seriously interested in resolving conflicts constructively. I have used it in my classroom for the last twenty years. This new edition gives us even more insights and practical suggestions for how to deal with the complexity of disputes in many different kinds of situations. Beer, Packard and Stief are masters in the mediation field and have much to offer us. An essential addition to the current scholarship and practice." Susan Sgorbati, Jones Chair for Social Activism, and former Dean of Faculty, Bennington College The Mediator s Handbook "continues to be solid, and speaks to the needs of the participants." Mohammed Abu-Nimer, Ph.D., International Peace and Conflict Resolution, School of International Service, American University" Promotional The classic resource for effective mediation - now fully updated and expanded Long Description The popular Mediators Handbook presents a time-tested, adaptable model for helping people work through conflict. Extensively revised to incorporate recent practice and thinking, the accessible manual format lays out a clear structure for new and occasional mediators, while offering a detailed, nuanced resource for professionals. Starting with a new chapter on assessing conflict and bringing people to the table, the first section explains the process step-by-step, from opening conversations and exploring the situation, through the phases of finding resolution-deciding on topics, reviewing options, and testing agreements. The "Toolbox" section details the concepts and skills a mediator needs in order to: Understand the Conflict Support the people Facilitate the process Guide decision-making. Throughout the book, the emphasis is on what the mediator can do or say NOW, and on the underlying principles and core methods that can help the mediator make wise choices. Long a popular course textbook for high schools, universities, and training programs, The Mediators Handbook is also a valued desk reference for professional mediators, and a practical guide for managers, organizers, teachers and anyone working with clients, customers, volunteers, committees or teams. Review Quote Can you really make the classic book in its field even better? In this book, authors Jennifer Beer and Caroline Packard prove that, when it comes to mediation, the answer is a resounding Yes!" This new edition of The Mediators Handbook provides new tools, new scripts, and new frameworks that will assist experienced practitioners and novices alike. Based on up-to-date research foundations from anthropology, psychology, and behavioral neuroscience, the authors take us by the hand and lead us step-by-step through the mediation process, suggesting concrete strategies to help people in conflict work through difficult emotions to actionable ideas for resolving their disputes. Bravo! Promotional "Headline" Coop available This book will be promoted to professional group facilitators through the International Association of Facilitators Bloga ds will be placed on leadership, group process, training and management sites Advertising will be placed in Mother Earth News and The Progressive There will be an e-mail campaign to Business Management colleges and universities Description for Reader The popular Mediators Handbook presents a time-tested, adaptable model for helping people work through conflict. Extensively revised to incorporate recent practice and thinking, the accessible manual format lays out a clear structure for new and occasional mediators, while offering a detailed, nuanced resource for professionals. Starting with a new chapter on assessing conflict and bringing people to the table, the first section explains the process step-by-step, from opening conversations and exploring the situation, through the phases of finding resolution-deciding on topics, reviewing options, and testing agreements. The "Toolbox" section details the concepts and skills a mediator needs in order to: Understand the Conflict Support the people Facilitate the process Guide decision-making. Throughout the book, the emphasis is on what the mediator can do or say NOW, and on the underlying principles and core methods that can help the mediator make wise choices. Long a popular course textbook for high schools, universities, and training programs, The Mediators Handbook is also a valued desk reference for professional mediators, and a practical guide for managers, organizers, teachers and anyone working with clients, customers, volunteers, committees or teams. Feature The Mediators Handbook won Amazons Best-seller award in 1998 and 1999 in the Arbitration,Negotiation and Mediation category, and has remained in the top 5 ever since. This book has sold over 50,000 copies. This classic how-to for mediators has been significantly rethought and updated, with the practical hows and whys for both new and experienced mediators. The book includes a large Toolbox section which coaches mediators on people, process and problem-solving skills. This has been a popular course textbook for high schools, universities and training programs,and has been a valued desk reference for professional mediators. This new edition includes new chapters on getting people to the table, and on adapting mediation to different environments. The main sections have been significantly upgraded to reflect the authors currentmediation and training approaches. Excerpt from Book What is mediation? Mediation is. . . A process for resolving disputes where an intermediary helps conflicting parties have a conversation to jointly resolve their concerns. Process: Mediation follows an organic sequence that unfolds differently in each situation, but still has recognizable phases. Disputes: Usually parties have specific incidents, disagreements, and concerns that have brought them to mediation, things they want changed. The mediation may also address underlying conflicts and systemic causes, if the parties want to take on that larger project. Intermediary: Literally, "one who goes between," by definition a mediator has some degree of impartiality and detachment from the outcome. Mediators guide the process; however, the parties do the work of coming up with the solutions and making the decisions. Parties: These may be a person, a group, or a whole nation - who come as a unit to the mediation, or are represented there, and who share a common identity or interests. Conversation: The way out of conflict is through dialogue, which means talking and listening directly to each other. Dialogue broadens the parties understanding of their situation, of each other, and of their desired future. This is rarely a neat or rational process! Jointly resolve concerns: The goal is workable, durable solutions that meet the participants practical, emotional, and social concerns as fully as possible. Mediators work to create a cooperative atmosphere for problem-solving where the parties themselves plan how they wish to proceed, individually and collectively. There are many kinds of conflict, and, increasingly, many kinds of mediation. This definition reflects the type of conflicts that are the focus of this book - interpersonaldisputes where parties have some ongoing connection - and the principles and methods we have developed through mediating them. A useful tool Mending fences: Practical solutions, emotional resolutions Mediation can work spectacularly well. People find solutions to thorny problems. They let go of their sense of grievance and mend broken relationships. In most mediations, people get some emotional relief, and walk away with a plan that resolves most of their concerns. There are no guarantees, of course - though most mediations work out, some dont. Mediators may sense that the parties are making grudging compromises that are unlikely to last. Or the parties may quit the mediation, still feeling angry or discouraged. However, even when theres no agreement, the emotional charge of the dispute may lessen once people have had their say. And participants can at least walk away with a more informed and realistic picture of their situation, and make their next decisions from that vantage point. Building stronger organizations and communities Mediation is a time-tested choice in an ever-growing array of conflict intervention methods - from formal and public litigation, to peace-building projects, to quiet backstage coaching. Mediation techniques can also amplify the success of other approaches, such as negotiation, advocacy, arbitration, meeting facilitation, or training initiatives. For instance, a politician might mediate a local water-rights issue as part of postwar peace building. Corporations often proceed with litigation until they collect enough information to submit a dispute to mediation. If a volcanic argument between two key players disrupts a planning conference, the facilitator might ask them to meet for a mediated conversation before the next days session. In a broader context, mediation offers people a way to take charge of their own conflicts and solutions. Mediation processes (or even just the skills) can help communities and organizations survive their conflicts and benefit from them. Mediation can strengthen working relationships and alliances. At its best, mediation strengthens democratic, collaborative efforts to meet peoples needs more effectively. What makes mediation work? Why it works New mediators are often amazed to see how one or two mediation sessions can turn around long-standing conflicts. What makes mediation so effective? It starts and ends with what the participants care about Mediation takes seriously the issues that people say matter most to them - relationships, fairness, emotions, justice, recognition, respect, inclusion, fixing a problem. People get a chance to tell each other their frustrations and hurts, to express regret, and to ask for what they need. Parties can bring up whatever topics concern them - they are not restricted to resolving only the official complaint. Mediation provides structure for difficult conversations Its a private and supportive setting for checking out misunderstandings and suspicions, and for speaking honestly. Mediators explore and reframe the parties interests in ways that help people move into problem-solving mode. A mediated agreement can lessen subsequent friction and misunderstandings, even if the conflict is not fully resolved. Mediation works best when. . . Parties realize that continuing their dispute may have costly consequences. They genuinely want to change the situation and need each others cooperation to do so. All main stakeholders and decision-makers participate. The parties are (eventually) able to express the reasons for their discomfort and distress. The parties are capable of making plans and keeping promises. If someone is bent on keeping a conflict going or winning outright, even the most obvious solutions are not likely to work. If everyone is ready to end a conflict, mediation can be a graceful and efficient way to do so. The mediators role Mediators guide but dont decide Mediators have little or no stake in the conflict or the terms of its resolution, in the model we use. Rather than advocating for one partys benefit, they help the parties work towards an outcome that best satisfies everyone. Participants may not know the mediator at all, or they may be closely connected. Whats important is that the mediator be someone all the parties trust enough to allow the intervention and to speak freely about their concerns. Mediators are in charge of the process, and provide two essential ingredients: A structure for conversation to help people talk, listen, and think. Caring, impartial attentiveness to people, process, and concerns. Who can mediate? Mediation isnt esoteric. People have been mediating for as long as people have been fighting, and most adults have picked up some mediation skills along the way. This means people from all walks of life and with all types of education can learn to be effective mediators: coaches, clergy, managers and supervisors, politicians, social workers, principals, crew leaders, parents, police, teachers, board members, therapists, teenagers, small business owners, elders, barbers - anyone who helps settle conflicts in their own corner of the world. Some types of mediation require more knowledge and skill than most of us learn through life experience alone. Increasingly, professional mediators are expected to have a specialist background and training (labor, divorce, elder/family, employment discrimination, business litigation, education, insurance claims, just to name a few areas). Even if you dont earn part of your living mediating disputes, there are plenty of conflicts that might benefit from your mediation skills. This book offers several levels of information to suit the needs of every mediator, whether frequent or occasional, official or informal, professional or volunteer. The anatomy of the mediation process Similar elements, similar paths Whether a mediation takes 15 minutes on a playground or involves many parties and dozens of sessions over a period of a year, the process of reaching resolution usually follows a predictable path. First, people present their own views and feelings - often loudly! They share and clarify information, gradually developing a clearer and broader picture of whats going on. If this has eased the emotional strain between them, they move into problemsolving, talking about what they want to change, weighing options, and making decisions. Finally, they write it down, shake hands, or take other action to strengthen their commitment to follow through. Most mediation processes contain similar elements, because, it seems, this sequence is organic - meaning it describes what humans actually do when they resolve conflicts collectively. It will be flavored by culture, personality, and context. It may be messy and reiterative, but these elements seem to be essential for consensual, durable resolutions. Structure versus "improv" Context: The process and tools outlined in this handbook are designed for roundthe- table mediations where the stakeholders speak directly to each other, and have the authority to reconcile or resolve their dispute without getting permission from others. Following a structured process can steady both the mediator and the parties, giving a counterweight to the volatile swirl of emotions, accusations, and demands. It slows things down - asking people to take the time to listen, to think, and to learn, before they jump to decisions or abandon their efforts at resolution. At the same time, a structured process increases efficiency by focusing peoples collective attention, and by laying the foundation for the work of the next phase. How structured? Description for Sales People The Mediators Handbook won Amazons Best-seller award in 1998 and 1999 in the Arbitration,Negotiation and Mediation category, and has remained in the top 5 ever since. This book has sold over 50,000 copies. This classic how-to for mediators has been significantly rethought and updated, with the practical hows and whys for both new and experienced mediators. The book includes a large Toolbox section which coaches mediators on people, process and problem-solving skills. This has been a popular course textbook for high schools, universities and training programs,and has been a valued desk reference for professional mediators. This new edition includes new chapters on getting people to the table, and on adapting mediation to different environments. The main sections have been significantly upgraded to reflect the authors currentmediation and training approaches. Details ISBN0865717222 Author Elizabeth Elwood Gates Publisher New Society Publishers Language English ISBN-10 0865717222 ISBN-13 9780865717220 Media Book Format Paperback Imprint New Society Publishers Place of Publication Gabriola Island Country of Publication United States DEWEY 303.69 Edition 4th Short Title MEDIATORS HANDBK 4/E Year 2012 Subtitle Revised & Expanded fourth edition Illustrator Elizabeth Elwood Gates UK Release Date 2012-10-01 Publication Date 2012-10-01 NZ Release Date 2012-10-01 US Release Date 2012-10-01 Pages 208 Edition Description Revised and Expanded Alternative 9781550925166 Audience Professional & Vocational AU Release Date 2012-12-09 Illustrations Illustrations We've got this At The Nile, if you're looking for it, we've got it. 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Location: Melbourne

End Time: 2024-11-13T02:55:34.000Z

Shipping Cost: 0 AUD