What Does it Take to Be a Mediator? | #Mediation with Bob Bordone

Summary

In this insightful video, Harvard Law School's Bob Bordone explores the role of a mediator, emphasizing the importance of neutrality and active listening. He outlines key qualities such as reframing conflicts, fostering creativity, and designing effective processes for resolution. Bordone also offers guidance for aspiring mediators, including training options and the diverse career paths where mediation skills are invaluable.

Takeaways

• 🧘 Becoming a mediator might be for you if you find yourself often helping to resolve conflicts or if you're interested in the field.
• 👤 A mediator is a neutral third party who facilitates resolution in conflicts or disputes.
• 🌐 Mediators can be found in various contexts such as family, commercial, community, and international settings.
• 🚫 Mediator's neutrality is crucial; they strive not to take sides, despite having personal opinions or views.
• 👂 Good mediators are excellent listeners, ensuring all parties in a dispute feel heard.
• 🔄 Mediators are skilled at reframing discussions to encourage creative thinking and problem-solving.
• 🤝 The ability to connect emotionally and ask open, curious questions is essential for mediators.
• 💡 Mediators foster creativity by asking parties for their ideas, presuming they have some, to work out conflicts.
• 🛠 Designing a process that allows parties to engage with each other is a key role of a mediator.
• 📚 For those interested in mediation, starting points can include formal training, classes, or master's programs in conflict resolution.
• 💼 While it's not easy to get full-time work as a mediator, the skills are valuable and applicable in various professions.

Q & A

What is the primary role of a mediator according to the video?

A mediator is a neutral third party who helps facilitate a resolution when others are in conflict or in a dispute with each other.

What are some contexts where mediators can be found?

Mediators can be found in various contexts such as family mediations, commercial mediations, community mediations, and even at the international level where diplomats may act as mediators.

What is the importance of neutrality and impartiality for a mediator?

Neutrality and impartiality are crucial for a mediator as they strive not to take sides in the conflict, allowing them to effectively facilitate a resolution.

How does the video address the controversy surrounding the possibility of being neutral in mediation?

The video acknowledges the controversy but emphasizes that for newcomers to the field, the key is to understand that mediators strive to remain neutral, despite having personal opinions or views.

What are some qualities that make for a good mediator?

Good mediators are excellent listeners, skilled at reframing situations to encourage creative thinking, and adept at fostering creativity and designing processes for parties to engage with each other.

What does the video suggest as a strategy for dealing with implicit biases in mediation?

The video mentions that it will share more about how to handle implicit biases in future videos, indicating the importance of addressing this issue for effective mediation.

Can you provide an example of reframing from the video?

The video provides an example of reframing during a family estate mediation, where the mediator rephrases the siblings' accusations into a shared problem without agreeing with either side.

What is the role of listening in mediation according to the video?

Listening is crucial in mediation as it allows the mediator to understand all sides of the conflict, make everyone feel heard, and connect with the parties on an emotional level.

How can someone interested in becoming a mediator get started?

For those interested in becoming mediators, they can start by checking the laws of their state for formal training requirements, taking classes on negotiation and mediation, or considering master's programs in conflict resolution.

What are some career paths that require mediation skills mentioned in the video?

The video mentions career paths such as family counselors, corporate and university ombuds, diplomats, and human resource professionals as roles that require mediation skills.

What is the Cambridge Negotiation Institute and how can it help someone interested in mediation?

The Cambridge Negotiation Institute is an organization founded by Bob Bordone, offering classes on negotiation and mediation, which can help individuals build their skills and decide if they want to pursue mediation further.