How can you use storytelling to build empathy during mediation?

1 What is storytelling?

Storytelling is not just a form of entertainment or a way to pass time. It is also a fundamental mode of human communication, cognition, and expression. Storytelling is how we make sense of our experiences, memories, and identities. It is how we convey our values, beliefs, and emotions. It is how we connect with others, empathize with their situations, and influence their actions. Storytelling is a natural and universal human activity that can be used for various purposes, such as education, persuasion, inspiration, or healing.

2 Why is storytelling important for mediation?

Storytelling is important for mediation as it can help to achieve several goals that are essential for successful conflict resolution. Establishing rapport and trust between the mediator and the parties, as well as among the parties themselves, is key. Storytelling can create a sense of familiarity, commonality, and understanding, while demonstrating respect, curiosity, and openness. Additionally, it can help to elicit and clarify the interests, needs, and feelings of the parties by allowing them to express their emotions, values, and aspirations. It can also be used to generate and explore options for resolution while testing the feasibility and acceptability of potential solutions. Furthermore, storytelling can create and sustain a positive and collaborative atmosphere to prevent or reduce hostility, defensiveness, or impasse. It allows the parties to relax, engage, cooperate, and cope with stress, frustration, and anger.

3 How can you use storytelling as a mediator?

As a mediator, you can use storytelling throughout the mediation process to introduce yourself, explain your role, and build rapport and trust. During the session, storytelling can facilitate communication, understanding, and resolution between the parties. You can also use stories to reframe issues, highlight common ground, generate new ideas, and support the agreement. After the session, storytelling can be used to follow up with the parties, evaluate the mediation process and outcome, and reinforce the agreement. Stories can be shared from your own experience or from other cases that are relevant and appropriate for the situation. Furthermore, stories can celebrate success and learning of the mediation and remind the parties of their commitments and responsibilities. Lastly, you can ask the parties to share their stories of how the mediation has affected them.

4 What are some tips for effective storytelling in mediation?

Storytelling is a skill that can be learned and improved with practice and feedback, and here are some tips for effective storytelling in mediation. It is important to be authentic and respectful when telling stories, using language that is true, relevant, and respectful of the parties and their situation. Additionally, stories should be clear and concise, engaging and empathetic, flexible and adaptable, as well as mindful and intentional. The aim is to tell stories that are purposeful for the mediation process and outcome, avoiding stories that are false, vague, boring, rigid, careless or counterproductive.

5 What are some challenges and limitations of storytelling in mediation?

Storytelling is a tool that can be used in mediation, but it has its own challenges and limitations. For example, stories can be subjective and biased, reflecting the personal views and values of the storyteller. They can also be complex and contradictory, with multiple layers of meaning. Additionally, stories can be risky and sensitive, revealing personal information or triggering emotional responses. Therefore, storytelling needs to be balanced with facts, clarified and simplified, and respectful of parties' rights and responsibilities.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?