MEDIATION

Working with two or more sides to address issues and relationships

When preserving a relationship is most important, mediation provides a way forward through disagreements, difficult conversations, and conflicts. Skilled mediators can design with you (and others involved) a step-by-step process to hear the issues, understand the options, and think about solutions. You only commit to one step at a time. Skilled mediators will help facilitate the process with all parties concerned by looking after the interests of everyone involved in the situation, and by paying particular attention to the human and relationship aspects. Mediation requires time, effort and commitment on the part of all involved.

Even though they are in disagreement with Mary’s group, John’s group decides that they need to be working together. They approach mediators to ask them to help find a constructive way forward. MNI provides two mediators who meet with each group separately and discover that they are both willing to try mediation. A step-by-step series of meetings is set and agreed – the objectives being

• to review and acknowledge the issues each group has
• to improve understandings
• to explore possible ways forward, and
• to seek agreement.