Mediation and Conflict Management

Paper Summary:

The paper discusses the important role of conflict management and explains two of the more prevalent styles of mediation that are known as the positional and the interest-based methods. The paper relates that many mediators have also gained the ability to be active listeners and discusses the process of active listening that includes validation, empathy, clarification and summary (VECS). The paper then explains how a good mediator knows how to focus on the interests of the involved parties. The paper presents a scenario of a conflict between a store and an employee and outlines the steps a mediator would take to resolve the issue. The paper then talks about the mediation simulations the writer experienced and the significance of the cultural medium in which the mediation is to take place.

Outline:
Conflict Management
Positional vs. Interest Based Bargaining
Active Listeners
Interests
Tom's Toy Store
Mediation Simulations
Cultural Variations

From the Paper:

"Mediation, conflict resolution and arbitration are considered effective methods of dealing with conflict. Since "society perceives conflict as something that gets in the way of progress" (Boulle, 2005, p. 87) employing effective methods of dealing with societal conflict allows that same society to progress and become more effective in handling situations that impede society in moving forward. Boulle also showed that "conflict is seen as a fact of life and when it is properly managed it can have many benefits for the parties and constituents" (Boulle, p. 87).
"Resolving conflict can be beneficial for society, and whether the method to resolve such conflict is through mediation, or arbitration, or conflict resolution depends on the situation and the preferences of the parties involved."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Bookbinder, L.J.; (2006) Empathy and listening skills and psychological hugs, http://www.psychological-hug.com/, accessed June 10, 2008
• Boulle, L., (2005) Mediation: Principles processes practices, LexisNexis Butterworths, p. 87, p. 348
• Correia, A-P.; (2008) Team conflict in ICT-rich environments: Roles of technologies in conflict management, British Journal of Educational Technology, Vol. 39, No. 1, pp. 18 - 35
• Fisher, R.; Ury, R.; Patton, B.; (1992) Getting to yes: Negotiating agreement without giving in, (2nd edition), Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company
• Nelson, M.; (2006) The fruit of silence, Teachers College Record, Vol. 108, No. 9, pp. 1733 - 1741

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