How can you conduct effective mediation sessions?

1 Prepare for mediation

Before you start a mediation session, you need to prepare yourself and the parties involved. You should clarify your role as a neutral and impartial facilitator, not a judge or an arbitrator. You should also gather relevant information about the conflict, such as the background, the interests, the emotions, and the goals of each party. You should also set some ground rules for the session, such as confidentiality, respect, and active listening. Finally, you should choose a suitable time and place for the mediation, where both parties feel comfortable and safe.

2 Open the session

The opening stage of the mediation session is crucial for setting the tone and establishing rapport. You should introduce yourself and the parties, explain the purpose and process of mediation, and review the ground rules. You should also acknowledge the emotions and concerns of each party, and express your confidence in their ability to find a solution. You should also invite them to share their expectations and questions, and address any issues or doubts they may have.

4 Generate options

The fourth stage of the mediation session is to generate options and brainstorm possible solutions. You should invite both parties to suggest ideas, without judging or evaluating them. You should also use creative thinking techniques, such as mind mapping, lateral thinking, or role reversal, to stimulate new and different perspectives. You should also help them to expand and combine their ideas, and to consider the pros and cons of each option.

5 Reach agreement

The final stage of the mediation session is to reach agreement and finalize the solution. You should help both parties to evaluate and select the best option, based on their criteria and interests. You should also help them to formulate a clear and realistic action plan, with specific steps, responsibilities, and deadlines. You should also help them to anticipate and address any potential obstacles or challenges, and to agree on how to monitor and evaluate their progress. Finally, you should summarize the agreement, congratulate them on their achievement, and thank them for their participation.

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?