Let’s figure it out.
Mediation and Conflict Coaching are voluntary processes that encourage collaboration between people in conflict. The aim is for each party to reach an agreement that they both see as a constructive and fair solution to the current issue. When parties approach conflict resolution with an open mind, they can work together to achieve a mutually beneficial outcome. Mediation or conflict coaching sessions offer a constructive approach to conflicts, promoting a win-win outcome. This approach is much better than an adversarial one, which only offers a 50/50 chance of a positive outcome. Conflicts can often lead to adversarial or aggressive behavior, but with the platform and process of Mediation and Conflict Coaching, most situations can be resolved peacefully, effectively, and constructively.
When we look at conflicts like someone has to win and someone has to lose - we limit ourselves to only having a 50/50 chance of getting the desired outcome. Depending on what is at stake, those aren’t good odds.
The "Orange Story" by Lee Jay Berman is a wonderful example of how mediation can lead to positive outcomes for all parties involved. The story is about two children fighting over the last orange, and the challenges their mother faces in trying to handle the situation fairly.
The mother, who was a mediator, recognized that the children needed to decide what was "fair," and that the best outcome would be one that they agreed on. She helped them reach a satisfying solution by asking a simple question they hadn't considered before: "Why do you want the orange?"
It turned out that one child wanted the orange peel for muffins, while the other child wanted the orange for juice. By understanding each other's needs, both children were able to use the orange for their desired purpose and were happy with the resolution.
Mediation and Conflict coaching keep the people experiencing the problem in charge of the solution, creating better and longer-lasting outcomes.