The_Essential_Manager_s_Handbook

446 / DEVELOPING YOUR TECHNIQUE

Being a mediator

Defining mediation

Mediation is a structured process in which an

impartial third party facilitates the resolution of

a conflict between two negotiating parties. For

mediation to be successful, the person selected to

mediate a dispute must be acceptable to both of the

parties. They must be entirely happy that the

mediator is unbiased and will assess the

circumstances of the dispute objectively.

Acting appropriately

If you are asked to mediate a dispute, you

need to be certain that you will be able

to remain impartial and not let yourself

get swept up in the emotional side of

what is taking place. Your role will

require you to look at the situation

from the perspective of each of

the disputing parties to find

areas of common ground

between them, and use

this information to

make some

recommendations

that would be

acceptable to

both parties.

As a manager, you will often have to negotiate directly with others within

your organization, but will also sometimes be asked to get involved as a

third party to try and help parties engaged in disputes to resolve their

conflicts. You therefore need to understand the principles of effective

mediation and how your role is different to that of other mediators.

US_446-447_Being_mediator_1.indd 446 30/05/16 3:07 pm