GUIDING PRINCIPLES FOR TRAINERS
Any trainer giving training in mediation cannot ignore the following three areas:
- Knowledge.
- Building required skills.
- Mediator’s attitude.
1.Imparting knowledge
Based on the type of training ( Basic training/ Refresher course/Advanced training) the trainer has to identify the areas in which knowledge has to be imparted. This part of training is completely based on the “content” that is required to be delivered to the participants during the training. Every session should compulsorily have some “Add On” factors, without which the very purpose of that session would become meaningless.
Based on the capacity of the recipients to receive the content related information trainer has to design and structure each of the sessions of the training.
The challenge lies in facing a situation of structuring or restructuring it on the training floor, and that the trainer must be prepared to face this.
2. Building required skills
Mediation being a practical process, what ever the knowledge one has gained during the mediation training about the meaning , structure, components, related concepts and process of mediation , if the participants are unable to make use of the same in actual mediations, it will be of no use. How to make use of the content knowledge in actual mediation requires a skill set. These skill sets are to be built in the participants, so that they can make use of the theory part of knowledge while doing real mediations.
Trainer has to blend the skill part with the content part so very effectively that the moment a situation is placed before a mediator, he/she will have to identify what it is, and what needs to be done why and how? The content part of knowledge and the practical aspects are collated by the mediator on the spot and the required technique is used effectively.
3. Attitude
Being equipped with deeper content knowledge, and required skill sets alone will not qualify a person as a mediator. The effect of first two parts is dependent on the Mediator’s attitude. There is no doubt that What needs to be done and Why it needs to be done stands as part of mediation. Attitude of a mediator is the other part . A person without a mediator’s attitude, not withstanding having absolute knowledge of content and skill part of mediation may not be able to conduct the mediation effectively.
Trainer, has to see to it that mediator’s attitude is given equal importance and serious attention. While dealing with the first two parts of training , the third part of training regarding, ‘ mediator’s attitude’ has to be continuously kept woven in such a way that it becomes integral part of the first two areas of training.
Making the participants to inculcate attitude and behaviour expected from a mediator , is a great challenge. The challenge lies in the fact that the ploughing , sowing the seeds, watering, seeing to it that plant is grown, and further grown as a tree capable of yielding flowers and fruits all has to be completed within the training period.
Further challenge lies in the fact that the participants being adult learners, the concept related to attitude has to be introduced very delicately , and strengthened effectively.
“People may hear your words, but they feel your attitude.”
John.C. Maxwell-American Author.
(All copyrights reserved by the author S.Susheela)
Training of Trainers in Mediation 