Resist Resistance

What you know at the start of a mediation session is very different from that at the end.

This is why and when you ought to wait to decide what’s possible.

Parties want the process to be over quickly, but that’s usually antithetical to reaching the best outcome.  Prepare yourselves and/or your clients for the time it takes to mediate;  to give parties the chance to exchange positions (arguments), reason through them, their choices and their consequences, and make well-informed decisions.

Along the way, you should be able to trust that your mediator – a neutral – is working through that reasoning with you.  Be open to his/her questioning and challenges, and try to resist becoming closed or defensive to disagreeable discussions.  You may be moved beyond your expectations and comfort zone, but it’s to help you consider all possibilities and which is best for you.

The end result should be an outcome earnestly arrived at on terms you’ve reasoned are in your best interest.

About Maria Hanna Joseph

Maria Hanna Joseph, principal of Joseph Mediation, is an Attorney-Mediator who is highly regarded for her experience and ability to resolve employment, workplace and organizational disputes. She has served more than 2,000 matters over her 20 years as a mediator and her 29 year employment law career. With care, expedience and economy, Maria helps attorneys and parties achieve settlement in nearly every mediation. Moreover, her pragmatism and perseverance bring about purposeful settlements; products of Maria's insight and creativity, gained by her depth of experience and training. These qualities, along with her demeanor and the trust she engenders, have earned Maria a reputation for being able to manage extremely challenging circumstances and settle a wide variety of cases. Maria is available to provide services in-person or virtually (utilizing teleconference and desk-top videoconference resources) throughout Massachusetts, New England and the U.S.
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