“Objective of refresher course”
Following may be considered as some of the relevant objectives of any refresher course:-
- Understanding the problem areas
The first session may be earmarked to find the areas in which the trainees are facing problems.
- Identification
Help them identify those areas.
- Name : Help them name the problem areas
- Number: Find out how many are facing the same problem/s .
- Suggestions: Take inputs from other participant trainees who have effectively handled these
Problems.
- Trainers’ input: As a Trainer give your suggestions if any
- Increasing the efficiency
One of the objectives of refresher course is to make the trainees feel satisfied with added efficiency.
Identify:- Find out how they are doing what they are doing.
Repeat : Specifically point out what and how they are doing
Remedy: Suggest as to how they are supposed to be doing what they are expected to do.
Replay: Ask them to replay with the suggested corrections.
- Increasing the productivity
Ultimate aim of mediation is to help the parties resolve their disputes.
If settlements are arrived in more number of cases , it would be a happy situation.
Identify: Find out in what types of matters or in what situations trainees are able to assist the parties to arrive at settlements .
Find out in what type of matters or in what type of situations this is not happening.
Diagnosis; Find out what according to them may be the reasons
Make a list: List out the reasons one by one
Suggestions: Give suggestions after deciding on whether the trainees need additional inputs in one or more of the following areas:-
Additional techniques – Skills
Additional knowledge on the contents
Additional techniques for time management
- Helping the trainees to be more independent with added competence
ASK: Ask them how they are dividing the sessions
How they are setting the agenda for each session and within the session
How they are summarising at the end of each session
How they are giving thoughtful questions to the parties to ponder, before closing the session
Ask them to follow these tips in the role play.
Ask them to follow what ever inputs were given on points 1, 2 and 3 along with point .4.
Feed back: Take feed back from them at the end of the role play to know whether they are feeling more competent and independent.
- Process satisfaction.
Keeping a constant eye on the level of satisfaction on the procedural aspects of mediation is a key element in bringing a frame work for achieving objective results through mediation.
Find out: Situations/instances when/where they have felt satisfied during mediations
When the parties have felt satisfied during the process
Did the parties feel stressed out
Did the trainee as a mediator felt stressed or bored or helpless or exhausted.
Suggest: Give suggestions :-
To remove the boredom factor in the process
To make the process more acceptable for the mediator as well for the parties.
To make the process very inviting and satisfying at every stage
Make the trainees understand that every minute of mediation should have the element of satisfaction interwoven within .
Implement: Ask them to implement all these concepts during the role play.
Debriefing: Find out at the end of the role play
- Did the mediator feel satisfied
- Did the parties( role players) feel satisfied.
- When did they feel disturbed/disappointed ? etc .
“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough we must do “- Goethe
(All copyrights reserved by the author S.Susheela).
Training of Trainers in Mediation 