How do you manage impasse and deadlock in mediation?

I believe a skilled neutral/Mediator begin managing deadlock/impasse at the commencement of the process. I am disrupted and changed what seemed to be a deadlock by reminding them of my Orientation comments at the begining of the process where out layed out possible outcomes that are constructive to the process and not destructive. So when we do reach whay appears to be a deadlock, it usually isn't, because it is just another obstacle to overcome, if, they want to. So we pause, refocus on true wants/needs and map out newer approaches to achieve their goals.

I find that suggesting a partial agreement, and/or agreeing to get additional info can keep the process alive and keeping it out of contested litigation.

Help the parties to move into solution based thinking. I have a form I used in tough cases. This sounds simple, but it helps them process and prepare for discussion. Ask them to limit each answer to 1-2 sentences. 1. List needs and concerns 2. List needs of children 3. Write up to 3 issues that need addressing. 4. List three solutions and be be prepared to state how it meets the needs and concerns and resolves the issues or problems. From viewing their notes, I would help them find common ground areas on what are the issues to be negotiated, while meeting the needs, concerns, and challenges each party might be facing. I would help them establish clear goals and use their notes to begin negotiations.

Identification of impasse i.e. technical or emotional. If technical - reference to expert would send a message of impartiality. If emotional then the same could be addressed through private meetings

Identifying the cause behind the impasse can change everything. Quite often, it’s not the immediate or obvious issue that is actually the problem itself… It is the emotion behind that, or something behind even that. Once we get to the root cause/ emotion that it brings out in people, we can start to tackle the real issues and to make some headway.

Make sure the mid afternoon slump doesn't kick in....often after lunch, sessions can slow things down and funnily enough room temperature. I have seen people nearly asleep at times and stopping short of using a cattle prod, i would open windows, turn the heat down, call time out before re-energising the session on return....sometimes even changing the seating dynamic when they return can help.

Usually you can read the tea leaves that a mediation is going south. Meaning it is headed for impasse. It is important to try and keep everyone talking and stay positive. I find going into an attorney caucus room with myself and the attorneys can help avoid an impasse. Sometimes the lawyers privately may have client control issues. There is information given to the mediator which can help the line of communication. Also, it is okay to pause the mediation and come back for another session. The objective is getting everyone over the finish line. Patience, understanding, and kindness can help cure a impasse. It is not an absolute but it helps.

Wenn der Auftrag erg?nzt wurde, mache ich oft ein Kopfstandsbrainstorming. Oder ich lasse die Perspektive auf den Stühlen wechseln, in dem ich die Parteien bewusst die anderen Stühle besetzen lasse und versuche aus nun der anderen Sicht beschreiben zu lassen, worum es geht. Welche Gefühle, Bedürfnisse und Wünsche damit einhergehen. Ein Perspektivenwechsel hilft ungemein.

Anwendung des Mediationskompass (y-Achse: Change/conserve und x-Achse: ich/andere) Am Ende steht eine Entscheidung, unbewusstes wurde sichtbarer und fühlbarer, sodass eine Entscheidungsfindung und auch L?sungfindung schneller m?glich ist. Alternativ nutze ich in diesem Stadium auch gerne die Wald Disney Methode.

Ich mache allen Parteien das Angebot einen Moment ?Pause/ Zeit für sich“ zu nehmen mit der Frage was brauchst du jetzt gerade, um weiter machen zu k?nnen mit allen Parteien? Dann gebe ich allen mind 15 Min Pause. Danach stelle ich die Frage erneut und h?re mir jeweils an, was alle Beteiligten ben?tigen. Ich lasse die Inhalte jeweils vom Gegenüber spiegeln. Wir betrachten sodann den Auftrag und erg?nzen diesen ggf. Ich lass mir in dem Zusammenhang gerne Bilder und Metaphern beschreiben, die zur eigenen Gefühlslage passen. Meistens sind diese gut tragend und darauf aufbauen l?sst sich oft aus der Sackgasse weiterarbeiten. Vielleicht bedarf es einen Moment mehr Zuwendung zu einer Person. In der Gesamtmediation gleicht sich das meistens aus

It is good to evaluate how far both sides have come in the process. For example, if there is a negotiation of numbers going back and forth I remind each side that the divide is a lot more narrow. At the point where everyone is not that far apart in numbers, I try to reason with everyone that it's not worth it to continue with the litigation for such a narrow divide. That usually pushes everyone over the threshold to settlement. Also, judges don’t just have one case on their docket. A case can be rolled several times leaving everyone in limbo. Time is money and people will need to keep rescheduling their time for trial. That is certainly an incentive to break the impasse.

Ich mache klar und deutlich alle bisherigen Optionen sichtbar und frage nach weiteren Optionen. Der Mediationskompass verhilft ihr enorm, sich selbst und auch gemeinsam zu begegnen und eine Entscheidung zu finden. Auch das Tetralemma verhilft an dieser Stelle enorm.

My mediation preparation (including but not limited to mediator selection) philosophy is: there is no substitute for intelligent, efficient, targeted, elbow grease.

I think for me it’s about asking the clients to help me to understand what the future looks like if they can’t find resolution in mediation - what are the other options and what will the cost be in terms of time, money, their wellbeing and what will the impact be on their wider family too. It’s a good way to help them reality check the future before they make their choice. If they do decide to leave mediation I remind them it’s still there as a potential option to be considered at a later date if things are not panning out in the way they envisaged. Everyone has choices.

While the monetary sum is almost always critical to resolution, in some matters there are other elements that are essential to at least one side. If there is an impasse on the money, then it’s time to focus on the other essential elements of a potential deal. There are occasions when all other elements are in place that an impasse can be broken on the money as each sides sees they may be close to the finish line.

Sometimes just asking how far they they feel they are from getting over the line can help. If each feels its a chasm then go back and remind them what has been achieved during the sessions, even if that's a very small acknowledgement of each others feelings or a small point they did agree on. If its a mutually agreed fissure, then again acknowledge the achievement of reaching that stage, make them feel they can bring it home...even if not every single thing can be agreed

Impasse or deadlocks during the mediation process may be either due to technical or emotional reasons. Identifying whether it is technical or emotional may enable the mediator to address the issue better.