Conflict

Bias, Causes of Conflict, Communication, Conflict, Cross-cultural, General, Language, Practical Challenges for Mediators, Skills, Uncategorized

(National University of Singapore, Faculty of Law)/ /Leave a comment

I have in previous posts referred to the distinction between direct and indirect forms of communication. Mediators will certainly have encountered these forms of communication before. Without seeking to offer a comprehensive or technical definition of what direct and indirect communication is, I would like to share some thoughts on this topic. First, it is…

ADR, Communication, Conflict, Dispute Resolution, General, Skills, Training

(Singapore International Dispute Resolution Academy)/ /4 Comments

It is often said that listening is one of a mediator’s core skills. At the same time the parties’ ability to listen to each other is equally important. Where parties’ communication has broken down to such an extent that they are unable to really hear what each other is saying, mediators can step in and…

Conflict, General, Impasse, Mediation Outcomes, Mediation Practice, Mediation Users/Clients, Mediators’ Conduct, peace negotiations, Settlement Agreements, Success in mediation

(Bill Marsh Mediator)/ /Leave a comment

For students of South-East Asian political struggles (come on, you know you are out there!) last month marked an important landmark. The Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation Front signed an historic peace agreement intended to bring an end to 25 years of violent conflict. Of course, this is…

Conflict, Developing the Field, General, Humorous Pieces, Mediation Practice, Practical Challenges for Mediators, Success in mediation, Training

(University of Strathclyde)/ /2 Comments

I was recently given an extraordinary birthday present: a day at the Nick Nairn Cook School (www.nicknairncookschool.com). Nick Nairn is one of Scotland’s most famous celebrity chefs, known for his respect for traditional Scottish fare, and as something of a foody I couldn’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday. I wasn’t disappointed….

Bias, Clients, Conciliation, Conflict, General, Mediation Practice, Mediation Users/Clients, Mediators’ Conduct

(Bill Marsh Mediator)/ /Leave a comment

I recently came across a new word – new to me, at least, which was irritating because I pride myself on having a pretty good vocabulary. The word is “Chaordic”. To quote Wikipedia, “The portmanteau chaordic refers to a system of governance that blends characteristics of chaos and order”. The term was apparently coined in…

Causes of Conflict, Clients, Confidentiality and Transparency, Conflict, Developing the Field, Ethics, General, Growth of the Field (Challenges, New Sectors, etc.), Mediation Practice, Mediators’ Conduct, Training

(Pel Mediation)/ /Leave a comment

In mediation, the art of the mediator is to lead the mediation participants to the best possible solution of their conflict, based on their underlying interests. It is the art of seduction to shift the focus from their points of view and desired outcomes to interests, and also from the escalation-driven wish to “win” and…