Organizations have long recognized the value of hiring professional mediators when there are conflicts in their organization and help resolve them. More and more, managers have begun to also see value in securing mediation training for themselves and their employees. Although there are times when the services of an unbiased, professional mediator are needed, there is also the potential for employees to learn and use mediation skills to resolve their conflicts swiftly and effectively in-house.
Mediation skills have benefits in all arenas, from personal relationships to workplace ones. The focus is on defending patterns and communication, so there are widespread applications for these skills. The skills can help employees themselves have better conversations, and guide them in finding a solution to their shared problem. The benefit to this approach is employees often strengthen their relationship during mediation and are better equipped to work together in the future.
Some of the skills employees will learn in mediation training include:
- Learning what defend/threat patterns of interaction are and how to change the conversation
- Recognize defending behaviours and learn how to share without evoking them
- Learn how to listen to understand, and take the time to process what’s been heard without responding
- Brainstorm solutions that would satisfy all parties involved; and
- Foster an environment where employees feel comfortable mediating disputes
Although I have focused on family and intergenerational mediation skills in my career, the insight mediation approach applies to all areas of life where human beings work in proximity and get into conflict and I have long suspected many workplace environments would benefit from learning these skills. If you’re interested in seeing what we can provide, reach out for a call!
