If we seek out a mediator to facilitate our workplace conflict, what exactly will he or she do for us?

The facilitator begins by speaking with each party separately and privately. The facilitator invites each party to explain their own issues, to analyze their issues from the other sides’ points of view, and to try to explain and analyze the other sides’ issues.

Participants are invited to think, talk, listen, and learn about issues and options. Rather than being called upon again to defend their territory, they feel heard and respected, which helps them to hear and respect the other parties. Ideally, during the conflict resolution process the parties experience themselves rolling down an open road together, navigating twists, turns and intersections constructively as a group. The process creates an opportunity to improve ongoing communication and can lead to a rebuilding of trust if the parties follow through afterwards and discover they can rely on each other.