NCJ Number
109615
Journal
Negotiation Journal Volume: 4 Issue: 1 Dated: (January 1988) Pages: 55-62
Date Published
1988
Length
8 pages
Annotation
For parties approaching mediation, trust has four dimensions: trust in the mediator, trust in the mediation process, trust in one's own ability to negotiate, and trust in the other party.
Abstract
Mediators facilitate trust in themselves by being impartial, honoring confidences, understanding the parties' perspectives, grasping the substantive issues in the dispute, helping parties identify their interests, and being skilled in settlement strategies. Parties' trust in mediation develops as they gain a realistic understanding of how mediation works and begin to experience its benefits. Parties' trust in their ability to negotiate grows as the mediator guides them in identifying and expressing their own interests, listening to the other party's perceptions, generating a variety of options, and developing other skills related to the mediation process. Trust in the other party is facilitated by the mediator's periodically reminding the parties that mediation must be done in good faith; role modeling respectful, nonjudgmental listening; sharing positive statements the parties make about each other; and helping the parties understand each others' perspectives and interests. In mediator training, intake role playing is helpful in developing intake skills that facilitate the subsequent development of trust in the parties. 1 reference.