TOT 75: Role Reversal

Ultimate idea of giving training in mediation is to see to it that the trainees evolve as mediators competent to handle practical mediations. 

Role reversal is one of the techniques which is used to avoid impasse and /or break impasse.

This technique is introduced in the topic related to impasse.

How does the trainer equip the trainees to make use of this technique practically in their actual/live mediations is the challenge to the trainer.

The following method can be adopted:-

STAGE – I

1. Role play is to be circulated on the previous day to one set of chosen participants. Roles must be identified. ( Mediator, disputing parties, their respective counsels, third parties if any.) 
2. Trainer has to ask the chosen  participants to step into the role and play as though it is a real life situation.
3.  Confidential information should not be given.
4. Confidential information if any is asked to be developed on their own.

STAGE – II

1. Trainer to ask the chosen participants to go ahead with the role play
2. As the role play seriously moves on, when the parties take strong positions and take firm positions, impasse situation is felt.
3. It is at that stage the mediator is given a cue by the mediator to use the technique of ‘role reversal’.

STAGE – III

Trainer to observe how the mediator uses the technique.

If it is not satisfactory, trainer steps into the role of mediator and uses the technique of “ role reversal”.

STAGE – IV

1. Trainer Mediator asks the disputing parties to switch their roles, and continue the role play 
2. Trainer mediator asks the respective counsels to switch their roles as counsel for the other party and continue the role play.
3. One each of the third parties is asked to switch the role.
4. Strict instructions are given to think only from the perspective of the role to which each has switched. 

STAGE – V

Give them five minutes’ time. Provide an atmosphere of complete silence.

STAGE – VI

Trainer mediator to go ahead with the role play for 15 minutes.

STAGE – VII

Ask the participants to switch to their original roles 

Give them five minutes’ time. Provide an atmosphere of complete silence.

Continue the role play.

STAGE – VIII

De-Briefing by the trainer

1. How difficult it is to step into the role of other person.
2. How one feels it difficult to think completely forgetting who he/she is and to think as another person.
3.  When one starts thinking from others’ perspective, how their strong positions start getting diluted. How emotions get diffused.
4. How they are moved on their own from competitive negotiation to co-operative negotiation.
5. How they stop thinking about individual gain and start thinking about mutual gain.

This exercise can be effectively used in advanced mediation trainings and in refresher courses.

I would figure out ways to use role -playing in the healing of people.

Kerry Washington
American Actress, Producer and Director

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(All copy rights reserved by the author S.Susheela)