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GUIDELINES FOR BEING A MEDIATOR
1. A mediator is asked to help two parties solve a
dispute. The parties may
be individuals or groups.
2. The mediator must listen carefully to both sides, without attempting to
minimize the differences between them.
3. The mediator must listen for some middle ground or agreement that each
side can accept without losing face.
4. After the parties have fully expressed their grievances, they should be
encouraged to speak directly with each other. If this is too painful or
controversial, the mediator may meet with each side separately, and carry
messages back and forth. But they must communicate with each other,
not just about each other.
5. The worker must be absolutely fair. Even if one person or one side
is much more appealing than the other, each side must be treated
as having equal responsibility for the problem.
6. The weight for solving the problem must be put on both parties. Each
party must agree to contribute something to the solution.
7. Each side must have a set of specific steps that it will carry out to move
toward an agreed-upon solution.
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