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TOT 187 WEEK 187
“From Past towards Future”
(To be used in advanced training).
Mediation is a process which shifts the mindset of the parties from past towards their future in the present.
It is very challenging for any mediator to shift the focus of the parties from past to future. Parties feel struck with the past. Navigation plays a vital role. Mediation being assisted negotiation, parties may have to be effectively assisted by the mediator to pass through this difficult phase. It is in this context training the mediators to handle this critical stage become very challenging for the trainers too.
Active listening must necessarily be focussed to:-
- Listen to their past .
- Listen to their present situation
- Listen to their plans for future.
Navigate them through a structured thinking process, by asking effective questions.
Ask the questions leading to the answers. Allow them to take time to answer. Listen to their answers with empathy.
Some questions:-
PAST
What could they have done in the past to resolve the dispute?
Do they regret having not done it?
If they had done , what they could have done , would the problem have been resolved?
II. PRESENT
What do they think that they can do now?
Do they think that the present option would be a better option than the one in the past ?
Are they open to consider settlement through mediation?
III. FUTURE
How do they want to see their future?
What would they expect to happen through mediation ?
Is it possible?
How would it be possible?
What can be done to achieve this?
Advantages:
When each session of the mediation process gets structured the result gets evident.
Parties relive the past experience in the present .
They think of their future by being in the present.
They understand what they need to do.
They understand the need to get over the impasse situation.
CAUTION
i)Questions must be thoughtfully chosen.
There has to be a clear demarcation between the questions related to past/present and future. While dealing with one part, parties thoughts must not be allowed to get it into another part. ( Setting an agenda helps in this regard).
ii) It should not be a mechanical process.
How to train
- Explain the structure to the participants ( Past- Present- Future) .
- Choose a role play.
- Ask the parties to follow this methodology.
- Watch how they navigate.
- Suggest corrections if need be.
“If you quit on the process, you are quitting on the result”.
Idowu Koyenikan – Organisational consultant-author.
(All Copyrights reserved by the author S.Susheela)
Training of Trainers in Mediation 