Family Business Mediators

Conflict is a natural part of human affairs. We often try to avoid it, but when we embrace and work through conflicts, this can lead to new levels of creativity in the workplace.
The problem is that most people do not have very good conflict resolution skills.  They tend to get defensive and too personal and [...]

Deport all illegal immigrants immediately including any offspring that they conceived while here illegally. If one parent was a legal citizen then they may appeal the deportation of the child if they can prove a means of support. Close all borders……then allow entry only to those sponsored by a US citizen that can prove that [...]

If someone must be put in charge of the farm succession process who will keep mom and dad in the loop, keep the advisors moving forward, and keep an eye out for successful succession strategies being used by their peers for ideas that work – who should it be? The planning coordinator’s job is to [...]

1. ADVISE THE MEDIATOR IN ADVANCE about: domestic violence, the need to end the session early, health issues of either party, inability to pay the expected fee, desperate need for coffee and doughnuts or smoke breaks, etc.

2. COME WITH FACTS AND FIGURES. If you have not yet completed a financial affidavit or exchanged mandatory disclosure, [...]

by Bruce Fraser (2)
As mediators we are often faced with sharply conflicting stories. One of the advantages of mediation is that we sometimes can solve the underlying problem without determining who did what, to whom, and when.
Indeed, experience has shown that mediation is not a good process for finding the truth because it has [...]

 Emotional engagement is a significant component of effective conflict management and problem resolution. 
The art of managing disagreement is driven by the ability to have the parties actively engaged with the facilitator and with each other around finding a mutually agreeable solution to the problem.  They must trust the facilitator and the process. 
It is important to [...]