| Outsourcing dispute resolution services can save an | | | | beliefs about conflict and how people engage in it. Ask |
| organization time, stress, and money when the | | | | your prospective mediator to describe the mediation |
| mediator is called in to help sort out a co-worker, | | | | process she uses, why she uses that approach, and |
| senior team or other dispute before matters escalate, | | | | how it's beneficial to clients. Which label your mediator |
| become entrenched, or lead to attrition, grievances or | | | | puts on her approach is less important than her ability |
| litigation.If a workplace dispute is complex or important | | | | to clearly articulate why she works that way and how |
| enough that you'd like the assistance of a mediator, | | | | her style will serve you and your organization. No one |
| then you naturally want to make sure the mediator | | | | style or approach is better than another anymore than |
| you hire is up to the job. Your selection should be | | | | one kind of therapist is better than another. It's about fit |
| based on qualifications, experience, and good fit for | | | | with your organization's culture and the mediator's skill |
| your organization. You want a professional truly | | | | in applying that approach effectively.What other |
| qualified for the job, one with whom you will feel | | | | credentials do you have that are beneficial to this |
| comfortable and in whom you can have | | | | situation?Look for a mediator whose background, prior |
| confidence.The next time a workplace conflict gets | | | | work experience or cultural experience offers |
| stuck and you want to bring in a third-party neutral | | | | knowledge and insight that will add value to her work |
| who doesn't carry the baggage an insider does, use | | | | with you. Mediators come from all backgrounds |
| these questions to guide your selection of the best | | | | imaginable--educators, attorneys, counselors, builders, |
| professional for the job:How much mediation training | | | | nurses--and no one credential makes them a "better" |
| and experience do you have?Mediator training | | | | mediator. But a mediator's background will probably |
| programs range from the minimalist 28 hours to the | | | | inform her work and how she approaches it. And |
| more common 40 and up to, in a few instances, | | | | beware of assuming you need a mediator who knows |
| hundreds of hours. Look for a minimum of 40 hours of | | | | your industry; while insider knowledge of an industry |
| basic mediation training and 30 hours of cases, and | | | | can help in some instances, it can also be a trap for |
| much more training and experience for complex | | | | the mediator. Mediators who know little about how |
| conflict situations. While more training doesn't always | | | | things "should work" in your industry may be less likely |
| mean a better mediator, consider this: Is only a work | | | | to wear professional blinders that can get in their way |
| week's worth of preparation enough for you to | | | | of helping you.What do you mean by "certified"?Many |
| choose professionals in most other fields? Be sure to | | | | mediators promote themselves as "certified |
| ask, too, about the ways she continues to hone her | | | | mediators." In many instances, what they really mean is |
| skills and the number of continuing education hours | | | | that they're "certificated"; they took a training and got a |
| she's obtained in the past year.To what conflict | | | | certificate of attendance at the end. While there are a |
| resolution associations do you belong?You're looking | | | | few certification programs, they tend to be |
| for information that suggests the mediator is interested | | | | state-based and very specific (such as certified marital |
| in continuing to develop his skills and knowledge. | | | | mediators in New Hampshire). If the mediator says he's |
| Membership in a state, regional or national conflict | | | | certified, don't assume there's an oversight body, |
| resolution association indicates that a mediator is | | | | licensure, or any kind of admittance or minimum |
| professionally active and may indicate that he's current | | | | qualification. Always ask what it means in that |
| on leading-edge research and practice through | | | | instance.Educating yourself about your prospective |
| professional development and journals. Some | | | | mediator increases the likelihood that your selection will |
| associations have minimum membership standards, a | | | | be a wise one. It's generally a good idea to interview |
| measure of quality based on training and | | | | two to three mediators by telephone before making |
| experience.What is your approach to mediation and | | | | your decision. Your important or complex conflict |
| how will it serve my needs?There are several | | | | situations deserve a skilled and talented professional.Dr. |
| different styles or approaches to mediation work (e.g., | | | | Tammy Lenski helps create terrific work environments |
| interest-based, evaluative, transformative, narrative), | | | | by transforming conflict into opportunity as a mediator, |
| and most mediators align themselves with an | | | | coach and trainer for organizations throughout the U.S. |
| approach that meshes with their values, philosophy and | | | | |