Mediation is a method of conflict resolution that ends with setting concrete, agreed upon terms. The process works by fostering understanding through active listening and collaborative goal setting.

A mediation definition often comes up in the context of divorce and other legal proceedings – but it’s more than that. Mediation brings families together. At Flo Mediation, we resolve workplace conflict and work with couples caught in destructive patterns

Conflict is a sign that something needs to change. We often experience this as feeling stuck in a relationship dynamic. Flo Mediation moves you through this conflict in a thoughtful way that helps you get unstuck.

What Does a Mediator Do?

When you meet with a mediator, expect to tell them about your experience with the conflict. You’ll also hear your disputant’s point of view. As a facilitative mediator, I encourage active and empathetic listening to help us all understand each other better.

Maintaining Neutrality

Neutrality is a crucial element in the Flo Mediation definition. We work without judgement. That means we don’t take sides, like a lawyer would. Mediators also don’t share opinions about the strengths or weaknesses of either party’s position.

Phase One: Collecting Information

Mediation begins with information gathering and processing. Your mediator will ask questions for clarification and to help reframe the conflict. This sets you up to begin seeing your disputes in a new light.

Phase Two: Organizing the Conversation

The mediator curates and directs communication between parties. They focus on organizing the conversation to keep it genuine and productive. That means holding parties accountable, reality testing, and spotlighting the issues at hand.

Phase Three: Naming and Prioritizing Issues

Each unique mediation raises its own challenges. Agreeing on what the issues are is a critical part of the process. After phases one and two, your mediator plucks these issues out of the conversation to articulate them for the parties. At this point the disputants decide which issue is their top priority.

Potential Results

The Flo Mediation definition works toward a specific goal – concrete results. Depending on the issues at hand, this might mean a written or spoken agreement. It could also mean scheduling another mediation session, a referral to another professional, or maybe a follow-up email to check in.

Sometimes mediation results call for specific action between the participants. For instance, one party might agree to collect technical information and share it with the other party by a set date. Or both parties may promise to set aside twenty minutes each morning before work to have coffee together and chat.

The Flo Mediation Definition of Success

We consider a mediation successful if the parties walk away from each session feeling less stuck than when they entered. Conflict creates gridlock. Our goal is to get things moving. This doesn’t always mean agreement or compromise. But it will mean progress out of a stuck situation.

Often that also means improved communication and a better understanding between parties. That’s why Flo Mediation clients tend to be parties who foresee an ongoing relationship. They may have children or work together, which means inevitable and likely ongoing contact. We strive to help make these interactions easier for you.

Conclusion

The first step toward reaching our Flo Mediation definition of success is setting up a session. It’s human to get stuck in conflict at times. Here at Flo Mediation we’re trained to find and foster common ground between our clients.

Your comfort is our priority, so we offer both in person and online mediation. Please contact us to get started and unstuck.