Who is in the Room?
Posted on January 30, 2010
A discussion about who should be in the room during mediation and the pros/cons of keeping the parties together.
A discussion about who should be in the room during mediation and the pros/cons of keeping the parties together.
Jan 31, 2010
Totally agree with you — even though it can be more stressful for the parties to stay together and work through the issues together, if there will be a long-term relationship, this is actually the gift that mediation can bring them — having the mediator model constructive discussion and serve almost as a coach for the parties to do the same. I find in my large group collaborations, the parties slowly learn how to problem-solve by having to sit in the same room and talk through issues.
BTW, can I show this video blog session in my class?
Jan 31, 2010
Thanks Michele, Of course you can use it in class:~)
Feb 14, 2010
I agree and think it’s especially useful to allow the parties to see each other being reasonable. Sometimes, when one of the parties doesn’t seem to be doing that, it is helpful to separate them to do a reality check and then bring them back together. When we leave the parties separate it really cuts off their potential. I think sometimes we separate people because we feel uncomfortable ourselves. This can have the effect of confirming the participants’ negative attitudes about each other.
Apr 21, 2010
I always prefer to be in the room together… but, I don’t mind it so much at Kathy’s because that means I just get to eat more food.