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TOT 207-WEEK 207
“Bridging the Gap”.
Note: (The objective of this weekly blog post is to assist the trainers giving training in mediation in strengthening their skills.)
At times trainers who are in the beginning stage of their career as trainers may feel very nervous. They may start worrying too much about the consequences of not being able to present their thoughts.
When the trainer gets a feeling that he /she is unable to proceed further or feels that s/he is struck what can be done by the trainer, ?
Some of these tips may be helpful:-
- AFFIRMATIONS
Keep reassuring oneself with positive affirmations like:
“All is Well.”
“Nothing can go wrong”.
“ I can handle this.”
- DEPEND ON PRACTCAL EXPERIENCE
Whenever a trainer feels that s/he will not be able to put in words his/her content knowledge., trainer can (i) Switch over to take recourse to his /her practical knowledge.
(ii) Recollect what happened in actual mediations.
(iii) Pick up one or two leaves from case histories
(iv) Start giving examples- link it with the concept at the end.
Ex: Session on impasse:
Trainer can give examples of one or two case histories explaining what was the impasse situation, how was it dealt with , and the mediation ended in successful settlement.
Trainer can also give one or two examples , where notwithstanding all the efforts the impasse could not be broken.
Trainer can ask the participants their thoughts on how to break the impasse in such situations.
Ex: Role of Third parties
Trainer can start giving two or three examples where because of the intervention of the third parties the dispute could get resolved.
Trainer can also give one or two examples where because of the interference of third parties , the dispute could not get resolved.
ADVANTAGE:-
Trainer can assimilate his/her practical knowledge gained as a mediator, as a base for his/her presentations .
SUGGESTIONS:-
For each topic – trainer can identify two or three examples and make a short note and keep it ready in hand.
Use it wherever it is necessary.
ADVANTAGES:
Trainer need not have to struggle for words. Flow of thoughts comes naturally.
It becomes easy for the trainer to take charge of the situation, and gain the momentum.
Participants can relate to case histories very easily.
They try to understand the concept on the basis of the examples given.
I can be changed by what happens to me. But I refuse to be reduced by it.”
Maya Angelou- American writer and Civil Rights Activist
(All copyrights reserved by the author S.Ssusheela)
Training of Trainers in Mediation 