Mediation

Curiosity leads to awareness and understanding. Understanding leads to change. Then solutions emerge.

I am endlessly intrigued with the puzzles communication presents to us. All the ways we successfully communicate, send mixed messages, trip over ourselves or simply choose not to communicate at all - which is of course another kind of communication.

Mediation opens communication lines and uses the friction of conflict to create solutions. Mediation works because of the presence of the mediator, an outsider to the conflict, and because of the willingness of the parties to try again. There should be a real need and desire to resolve differences and move forward, if mediation is to be successful.

Through exploration and inquiry you will discover both common and divergent interests, needs and values. These will form the basis of your solution-building. I bring the following assumptions to any mediation:

• How you communicate is as important as the substance of your dialogue.
• Acknowledging emotions can lead to breakthroughs in communication.
• Power imbalances need to be recognized.
• Understanding and solutions naturally tend to arise through honest and focussed dialogue about the issues at hand and your impact on each other.