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Rating: 
Summary: Good Introduction on Transformative Mediation
Review: A good introduction on Transformative Mediation but just a good "Introduction".It would have been nicer had the authors discussed more about the skills which can be used in Transformative Mediation. Nevertheless it is still a rather interesting read.
Rating:
Summary: Good Introduction on Transformative Mediation
Review: A good introduction on Transformative Mediation but just a good "Introduction". It would have been nicer had the authors discussed more about the skills which can be used in Transformative Mediation. Nevertheless it is still a rather interesting read.
Rating: 
Summary: Worth your time
Review: A well reasoned look at mediation with a very different goal from most guides to mediation. If you know nothing about mediation you will learn a great deal, though all from one perspective, and if you are well versed in mediation skills you will have your conceptions challenged. In the end it doesn't matter if you agree with the authors, it is worth the time to be exposed to their ideas.
Rating: 
Summary: The Promise of Mediation: Responding to Conflict Through Emp
Review: An important addition to the mediation field. It raises fundamental questions about the assumptions on which many mediators operate and the impact of those assumptions on parties in conflict. The book argues for a different framework for approaching the practice of mediation, which should provoke almost every mediator to think more deeply about their practice. A MUST READ.
Rating: 
Summary: Transformative Mediation = Transcendental Meditation?
Review: If only the world would/could operate under a theory like this!
I understand & appreciate the principles and philosophy in this book, being the constantly optimistic dreamer who believes that we should all start mediating everything, with the possible exception of outright criminal acts. And I will continue to hope and dream of a world like that - one day.
After mediating for 15 years, being one of the leading ADR trainers in the Deep South for the past 10 years, being half-Swedish, half-Creole, evidently always believing in conflict resolution - as a family friend put it "Linda, you came out of the womb mediating," I am so sorry to say that my experience using this style of mediation has not been what is "promised" in this book and what the majority of those that state they use only transformative mediation say (that's not to state it's what they necessarily do). As an example, the REDRESS (United States Postal Service/Office) mediators, who swear that they only practice transformative mediation, say so usually only within the hearing perimeter of the USPS executives and/or their respresentatives - are not pure transformative mediators - and amongst us professional mediators, will clearly state so!!
THE FOLLOWING IS VERY IMPORTANT: Unless the parties in a mediation actually grasp the fact that this is their one and only chance to control the resolution of their conflict, that they will live a better life learning to compromise on positions and stay firm on interests (or principles, as I call them), stop using mediation as a discovery tool, or a way to get out of work for the day, or a weapon to needle someone who upset them but they felt for whatever reason they could not sit down and talk it out, etc. - this type of mediation will rarely work - using only that style, at the very least.
Ironically, I find I use many transcendental mediation techniques in the typically more litigious civil mediations that are set a short period of time prior to trial, or in workplace mediations where someone or everyone can really be fired, i.e. not Civil Service, or in a Divorce-Custody fight that involves educated, working, caring parents who truly do not want to traumatize their children anymore than is necessary, or have waited until their children have grown up and moved, remaining or becoming friends through the process - where I was originally taught that I was supposed to use more directive-facilitative mediation techniques -- and that is mostly in those mediations in which the attorneys - if present, or even if not, but who have tremendous infuence on their client's thinking & behaviours, have actually prepared their clients for what a mediation really is and how to get the most out of it, plus the aforementioned lawyers really believe in mediation themselves and understand how it can help them represent their clients to the fullest & best of their abilities.
In the same instance, if presented with disputants who are not using the mediation as it should be - to work out a problem, resolve it and get on with life, while avoiding a third party from TELLING them what they have to do - which have been the majority of the REDRESS mediations I have participated in, as well as some workplace conflicts and thankfully only a couple of cases going to trial -AND wherein one or more of the attorneys did not understand how fantastic a mediation can be, or were not prepared for it, I have had to pull out the stronger directive mediator role, which I personally do not prefer. Folger and Busch would say this is where transformative mediation works the best - oh, really? Not in the real world, I fear!
As nice as this book is, I believe it gives a beginning or lesser experienced mediator the completely wrong impression as to what the majority of mediations are - negotiated heated discussions, occasionally civilized (?) fights, which are actually training sessions for one or more of the disputants (and their counsel, if involved), teaching them to think outside of their little corner, or position, and consider the relief a conclusion and settlement will bring to their lives if they grasp the beauty and harmony a true mediation brings with its use.
I know almost anyone who knows me will be astonished that I wrote this, for as I said & as is continually pointed out to me, I am the eternal optimist. I have seen mediations settle that no one - except me - thought were even close thereto. I believe that there is always a peace that can be reached once the parties in the conflict realize the benefits of getting past this conflict. BTW, I apply this "fanciful" premise to every type of argument - from neighbours who cannot agree who owns a particular bush to the currently ongoing fiasco in Iran, et al. (FYI: I was brought to write this review in the glow that last night was a fantastic night wherein the Israelis and the Palastinians agreed to start agreeing !! What a dream - at least one that I've had all my life, or at least since I was able to understand that there was a problem over there.) Any thoughtful, intelligent person knows that no amount of bullets or bombs are ever going to make someone reach peace, much less mediate - believe me. In that respect, I guess I do side with this book.
I am also the type of mediator who believes all mediations are the disputants' mediations -not mine, not their attorneys or union representatives, not the bean counters who talley up who has settled the most or least of conflicts - as if that tells one who is the better mediator. For a long time, I was one of the few meditors who believed (and still do) that a mediation can be very successful without a final settlement. My valuation of a mediation is this: if all or most of the differing sides learn something more about their opponents's interests, which later leads to a settlement of even PART of the entire problem; including proceeding to a trial in which these very important facts are part of all those involved psyche - then it has been a very successful mediation.
But that's about as far as I go - which has become too far already. I fear. I'll close as I always do - With Peace to All Always, Linda Liljedahl
Rating:
Summary: Good Introduction on Transformative Mediation
Review: Most mediators learn a facilitative style of mediation. Many mediators stray to an evaluative style when the going gets tough. This book gives mediators a new way to look at the process and it offers another style that emphasizes the humanity and power of the parties. The authors argue that too much emphasis on settlement can corrupt the mediation process and subvert other important goals of conflict resolution. I have asked every mediator I know to read it.
Rating:
Summary: Settlement is not Always the Goal
Review: Most mediators learn a facilitative style of mediation. Many mediators stray to an evaluative style when the going gets tough. This book gives mediators a new way to look at the process and it offers another style that emphasizes the humanity and power of the parties. The authors argue that too much emphasis on settlement can corrupt the mediation process and subvert other important goals of conflict resolution. I have asked every mediator I know to read it.
Rating:
Summary: What are you doing??????????????
Review: This book helped me clarify just what I'm doing as a mediator. The authors show that one's worldview necessarily affects how one mediates. Unawareness of one's assumptions creates the potential to do great harm as a mediator. Our assumption that it's our job to make a settlement happen requires us to behave in a way that is neither neutral nor helpful to the parties. It's too easy to use our litigation tools (such as evaluation, analysis, and persuasion) against both parties in order to further our own agendas. By gaining clarity about what our agenda is, and about what's beyond our jurisdiction, we reduce the harm we do to the parties; and we create more opportunity for the parties to take greater responsibility. The approach described in this book supports parties as they tend to grow from weakness to strength and from selfishness to compassion. I'm grateful to the authors.
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