Mediation: Skills & Strategies

The impact of unresolved conflict affects us all, be it in our personal lives or in the workplace. Resolving issues effectively makes good sense from both a human resource and a financial perspective. Those who are in a position of support, guidance or leadership, must find methods to help themselves and those around them. Bringing parties in conflict together for the purpose of reaching mutually agreeable solutions can be challenging and uncomfortable. However, doing so effectively can result in a healthier work environment by reducing stress, anxiety and absenteeism and the cost of adversarial processes, while at the same time, increasing productivity, efficiency, morale, and creating a healthier work environment.

This workshop builds on the basic skills and techniques acquired in Foundations of Conflict Resolution. It will provide participants with practical and specific skills, attitudes, and approaches required to bring parties together in a helpful and effective way. Participants will learn to assess whether or not mediation would be appropriate, and who would be the best person to convene that conversation. If that person is you,  this course will help you to turn confrontation into collaboration and guide the parties to create mutual understanding, resolve the problems, and keep a healthy working relationship intact! Everyone wins!

Mediation: Skills & Strategies is an elective seminar for the Certificate in Managing Conflict.

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Program Content

What is Mediation, Facilitation, and Conflict Coaching?

• What are the governing principles?
• Roles
• Using an Interest-Based (Collaborative) Process including:
  • Assessment
  • Buy-In (Commitment from participants) for the Process
  • Preparation
  • Establishing Guidelines
  • Defining Issues
  • Exploring Interests (What is important to the Parties)
  • Developing Options
  • Agreements and An Action Plan for Success
  • Minutes of Settlement
  • Follow-up and Evaluation of the Process 

 

What You Will Learn

• Attributes and the role of a mediator
• When and who should convene the process
• How to prepare for and convene the process
• Deciding who should attend
• Stages and steps of the Interest-Based (Collaborative) process

 

Who Should Attend?

You will benefit from this seminar if you:

• are a leader (Supervisor, Manager), in HR, Union or a support person who deals with conflicts or disputes.
• want to improve workplace morale
• have responsibility to address a range of issues such as:
  • Grievances
  • Allegations of harassment, bullying, discrimination
  • Inter-personal conflicts (personality