What is Mediation?

Nowadays, mediation is promoted as a novel way to settle disputes using social messaging and other forms of communication. We encourage you to enroll in the Master of Mediation and Conflict Management program if you wish to increase your understanding in this field.

What is mediation, and what is the mediator’s role?

With the unique feature of including an outsider who steps in to help resolve disputes, mediation is seen as a conflict resolution technique between two opposed parties. Since they are unable to come to an agreement on their own, the parties usually ask for this participation on demand.

In order to help the parties involved find a desirable middle ground, the mediator’s job is primarily focused on facilitation and guiding. Being an active participant in the process, he or she will always behave impartially and base their actions on encouraging empathy, respect, communication, and active listening. In order to help both sides “win” in the process of negotiation and trade, the mediator positions themselves as a conduit for their needs.

What are the principles of mediation?

Will and voluntariness

Motivation is the first crucial component of mediation. To finally address the root of the problem, both parties must demonstrate a willingness to work together, even if it is the only thing required. Given that mediation has already been requested, it is reasonable to assume that there will be a high level of commitment, which will increase as the process progresses.

Equality

A mutually respected connection between the parties must be the foundation of the mediation phenomenon for it to be practical, and this relationship must then be extended throughout the everyday lives of people involved. Additionally, mediation helps persons develop their repertoire of assertive behaviors.

Impartiality and neutrality

Without any direct influence or decision-making authority, the mediator’s function must be founded on the impartiality principle. His approach to mediating is centered on helping people concerned solve the issue on their own, without offering an opinion. It is the mediator’s responsibility to maintain impartiality at all times without taking sides or making demands.

Confidentiality

Ensuring complete anonymity for the participants regarding the resources to be used, the documents provided, and the data collected during the sessions will be crucial, particularly during the initial meetings. However, everyone concerned will be guaranteed that this information will remain confidential and will never be shared with third parties or used for outside purposes.

Transparency

Participants in conflict mediation are placed in a novel circumstance that may make them uneasy or even anxious. The way the sessions will operate, the technique, and the mediator’s role will all be well explained at the start of the process in order to reduce these adverse impacts.

Flexibility

The process of conflict resolution needs to be open, adaptable, and flexible in order to be organized, modified, and changed as needed. In order to better respond to the goals established, it is structured as an element that is always open to change.

How many types of mediation are there?

Mediation is a dispute resolution approach that can be used in a variety of contexts and methods.

Facilitation

The most popular type of mediation is called facilitation, when the parties are led to a consensus.

Transformative mediation

From a transformative standpoint, mediation aims to bring about a more profound and positive change. Once the requirements of the other have been determined, the goal of this approach is to produce a shift in perspective that goes beyond the initial one.

Consultative mediation

This kind of mediation is a more direct and forceful approach that centers on the interests of each party because it is a branch that seeks to facilitate and resolve legal processes.

Electronic mediation

Electronic mediation is advised for persons who live in separate places or even if the disagreement prevents them from interacting in the same space and time, in keeping with today’s digital society.

Family mediation

The broad mediation process’s tenets are used within a family in family mediation. Disputes between members, communication and economic barriers, divorces, and other problems are typically handled via this technique.

School mediation

Mediation is seen in the realm of education as an essential step in fostering a more harmonious environment. To help with school conflict resolution, it is typical to have a mediation team that has been trained in the field both at the school level and at the classroom level (peer mediation).

Social mediation

The demands that society constantly faces have led to a growth in social mediation, which applies the broad mediation concepts to various groups.

Health Mediation

Through discussion and conversation, the parties to healthcare mediation will use this non-judicial method to settle current disputes, which are typically connected to complaints about the treatment one receives or from a family member, limitations on care or surgical procedures, malpractice, etc.

Business or labor mediation

Conflicts may arise in the workplace, just like in other contexts where people interact. Parallel to the aforementioned, labor mediation takes the form of a location inside the same organization dedicated to resolving disputes and labor disputes.

What are the Stages of Mediation?

The mediation process is divided into the following stages:

Premediation phase

In addition to providing information on the process’s development and approach, the first goal will be to guarantee secrecy and confidence. The groundwork for the intervention is laid out in this first section, and data and information are gathered in advance of the problem.

Mediation phase

The following components make up the full body of the mediation process, which is deposited at this phase:

• Information gathering from both sides: As essential tools for the process, communication and assertiveness are practiced. There is a chance for both sides to share their thoughts, emotions, perceptions, etc. All of the submitted data will be observed and impartially analyzed by the mediator.
• Describe the issue: In order to vent their frustrations and listen to the other side, each party shares their perspective on the disagreement. In order to clearly and succinctly define the premises, it is crucial to allocate the required amount of time to this stage.
• Offering solutions: The mediator’s role will be crucial during this stage as he will help the parties concentrate on showing respect and empathy for the opposing viewpoints, formulating various solutions to the issue, and identifying the needs and interests in order to ultimately come to a mutually agreeable solution.

 Come to an agreement

During the last phase, the mediator will help the parties evaluate the offers and determine their benefits and drawbacks. Additionally, the agreement created by a signed pledge to fulfill it will be decided.