Disputes at work: Mediation can help
Created: 08/01/2022 17:04
By: Carina Blumenroth
Disputes in professional life can be layered by a mediator.
(Iconic image) © Uwe Umstätter/Imago
If a dispute escalates, it can make sense to bring in a mediator to settle the dispute.
This seeks an acceptable solution for both sides.
When different views collide, disputes can arise - and professional life is no exception.
If no agreement can be reached between the two parties to the dispute, it can make sense to bring in a neutral intermediary, a so-called mediator.
Career
Bible knows how a mediator works.
Mediation: what does it actually mean?
Mediation is conflict management and dispute resolution, this is always carried out with the aim of ending the dispute.
The mediator helps the different parties to find a common solution that is acceptable to everyone.
What is sought is a win-win situation that the parties concerned can no longer achieve independently.
Mediation can also be used before a dispute ends up in court.
Would you like more tips on the subject of jobs and careers?
Then follow our news pages on the career portals Xing and LinkedIn.
Characteristics of a mediation: voluntary, impartial, open
In order for mediation to be successful, certain rules must be observed.
An important principle is that mediation cannot be forced, which means that the parties concerned must agree to the discussion with the mediator.
Furthermore, it is necessary for the mediator to look at and analyze the situation neutrally - if one side of the conversation feels disadvantaged, the mediation can quickly fail.
The goal should also be open, mediation only accompanies the path of dispute settlement.
A mediator is subject to confidentiality, so the interests of those involved in the conversation are protected and the background of the conversation remains confidential.
Special training to become a mediator is not possible, but soft and hard skills are necessary for mediation.
These are taught in other professions, mediators come from the fields of psychology, sociology, political science or law, among others.
With this body language, the job interview goes wrong
View photo gallery
Mediation: Five phases to the goal
Agreement on the procedure: The procedure is discussed with both sides, and the neutral role of the mediator is emphasized.
A mediation agreement is made in writing.
Present and analyze the situation: The mediator needs an overview, the situation must be described in detail.
Collecting should be neutral here, and it is also possible to prioritize individual points.
Explain points of view: Both parties can now explain their point of view, the mediator can clarify questions of understanding.
Goals and expectations should be identified and named here.
Determine possible solutions: In this step, solutions can be collected.
First everything is written down, then the individual solutions are evaluated and analyzed.
The mediator tries to initiate compromises, to question the situation and to combine possible solutions with the goals of both parties.
Conclude mediation: If a compromise has been found, this should be recorded in writing.
It also makes sense to add a deadline by when something should be implemented.
To avoid the need for mediation, one can work on the type of communication.
Disputes are often compounded because something went wrong in communication.
One step can be to be as specific as possible and ask questions.