COMMENT OF THE DAY POST#31

As a mediator, you know you are making progress if you can get a party to move away from inflexible consideration of their own case. Actually – it is one of the hardest initiatives to get underway. It is a “human thing”. The parties focus on their own discontent, their own moans and complaints, their own version of injustice. And here you are, the mediator, trying to break down the clinging to complaints.

So often people incline to their own point of view and see any openness to the other point of view as a weakness. It is a human condition and one which as a mediator you have to deal with using tact, sensitivity and an open mind.

Tony Blair vowed to progress world affairs by viewing China from China’s perspective. What makes China tick? Back to the mediation – what makes the husband/wife or buyer/seller tick?
Question – do you as a mediator possess this essential skill?
Answers, please!