Understanding Negotiation and Mediation: Their Distinct Features

  Introduction Disputes and disagreements are inevitable in both our personal and professional lives. The way we handle these conflicts can greatly influence the nature of our relationships and the results we achieve. Two common techniques used to address and resolve disputes are negotiation and mediation. Although these terms are often used interchangeably, they represent distinct approaches to conflict resolution. To select the most suitable method, one must fully understand the unique attributes of each technique and how they operate in real-world situations. Negotiation: An Overview Negotiation is a fundamental process of dialogue aimed at reaching an agreement where two or more parties have...

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Turning Battles into Bridges: The Interplay of Conflict and Decision-Making

In the myriad interactions that make up human life, conflict is a recurring theme. It is an omnipresent aspect, surfacing in various areas of life—personal, professional, or social. On the other hand, decision-making is an integral cognitive process resulting in the selection of a course of action from a pool of alternatives. The confluence of these two aspects gives rise to fascinating dynamics. The focus of this article is to delve deeper into how conflict affects our decision-making process and to shed light on ways to leverage this interaction constructively. Defining Conflict Conflict can manifest in several forms, from internal struggles we...

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Introducing Workplace Mediation in Your Organisation

Imagine that your organisation is managing a huge lucrative project which includes people from a number of different departments. You’ve made great progress but there is tension between two of the inter-departmental team members. Their former rivalry has just got healthy as they are working together on the same project and now it feels like a full-blown personality clash.

Resolving Workplace Conflicts Through Mediation

conference room depicting the setting for workplace mediation

Every organisation aims for workforce harmony, but achieving this isn’t as easy as it seems. Workplace conflicts exist in all forms and shapes, and may arise even when you least expect them. They may escalate and turn into formal employment tribunal claims, putting your organisation through additional stress. Mediation can reduce the likeliness of employees filing for these claims. This is why employers and organisations are encouraged to hire a mediator for resolving conflicts and restoring harmony at the workplace. When Should You Use Mediation? Many employers wait till until things get really bad among the two conflicting parties to actually seek mediation....

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What Is Mediation And How Does It Work?

clients shaking hands after a successful mediation process

Conflicts may arise in any relationship, be it in a business setting or a personal one. When conflicts appear to be irresolvable, mediation is often recommended as a way to diffuse the situation. It’s a procedure that’s used for actively resolving disagreements among two or more parties in the form of assisted negotiation. Let’s take a closer look at what mediation is and how it works. What Are the Basic Rules of Mediation? Mediation is done in the presence of an impartial mediator who’s briefed about the issue at hand before the process begins. It’s a voluntary procedure, meaning that neither party is...

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