There are, of course, many theories on why mediation works. I mention one of them in my book, DIY Conflict Resolution: Seven Choices and Five Actions of a Master. It could be that mediation aligns with the transtheoretical model (“TTM”) of behavioral modification. It could be that the process is intuitive and has a history dating as far back as Confucius.
Mediation, or processes like it, has been used to resolve conflicts in Eastern cultures for hundreds of years, if not thousands. It has also restored peace among Puritans, early American immigrants, African tribes, and warring factions throughout the world. In it has been used so widely with such great success that I often wonder how most cultures settled on the punishment-based system that mediation now supplements. I would like to flip that!
Would you also like to try a conflict resolution process that has a proven track record longer than the United States Court System? Tell me more
NOTE: This post is a general overview of mediation. It is not legal advice, and there is certainly no guarantee that choosing mediation will generate a specific result. Past success is never a guarantee of a future outcome. If you require legal information or advice applied to your unique situation, please make an appointment to discuss it with an attorney. Don’t rely solely on what you read on the Internet.
Nance L. Schick, Esq. is a New York City attorney and mediator who focuses on keeping people out of court and building their conflict resolution skills, especially in business and employment disputes. Her holistic, integrative approach to conflict resolution draws from her experience as a crime victim, human resources supervisor, minor league sports agent, and United Nations representative. She is a 2001 graduate of the State University of New York Buffalo Law School trained in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation (ICERM). She is also creator of the Third Ear Conflict Resolution process, author of DIY Conflict Resolution: Seven Choices and Five Actions of a Master, and an award-winning entrepreneur, who has been acknowledged by the New York Economic Development Corporation/B-Labs (Finalist, Best for NYC 2015 & 2016), U.S. Chamber of Commerce (2015 Blue Ribbon Small Business), Enterprising Women Magazine (Honorable Mention, 2014 Woman of the Year awards), and Urban Rebound NY/Count Me In (Finalist, 2013 Pitch Competition).