Often people coming to mediation have been in a difficult or hostile setting where they have argued, spoken to deaf ears, felt insecure or confused, or have themselves listened, not to hear, but to frame a self serving response, all of which leads to frustration and escalation. It is this experience that takes a toll on the people perhaps as great as the conflict itself.

How can change take place in mediation? Although I wish I could say the mediator changes people, this is not the case. Mediators don’t change people. Mediators’ presence and interventions change the setting for conflict; people themselves bring about change.

A mediator is someone who will not argue with parties but will attentively listen; who will show them respect and encouragement; a person in the room whom they can trust; a person who makes it safe for them to say what is on their minds and in their hearts; as well as a person who can keep track of the themes, ideas, and “willingness” to consider other possibilities.

Given a supportive and encouraging setting, parties can rise to the occasion and get to a place where they find workable answers to their crises. Parties often find ways to interrelate even with someone they don’t agree with. This not only makes it possible for them to solve their immediate problem, it also gives them needed self confidence and equips them to better deal with whatever new problems the future brings them. Two important achievements!

The mediator, seeing good things happen in the mediation room, keeps being reminded that what she or he is doing is more than just a job, it is a special career, worthwhile and satisfying. It makes a difference in people’s lives where a difference is urgently needed. Because of what it does for the people and of what it does for me, I love mediation. It’s worth saying again, I love mediation.

-Louise Phipps Senft

If you’d like to learn more about mediation and train with Louise, please join Baltimore Mediation for our one of our signature 40 Hour Mediation and Conflict Transformation Skills Training. Click here for more information on our upcoming classes.

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• February 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training
• June 20-Hour Basic Mediation Training
• October 20-Hour Basic Mediation Training
• December 40-Hour Basic Mediation Training

This training program was designed to provide an intensive experience to meet the requirements set forth by the new Rule 17-205, (a) (5) that requires court-designated mediators to complete in each calendar year four hours of continuing mediation-related education

• Understanding the Mediator’s Ethical Standards of Conduct: Self-Determination
• Opening sessions
• Working with counsel
• Dealing with emotional barriers
• Practical role play experience and individual coaching feedback on mediation practice

  Dates: Thursday, March 2, 2017  (9 am – 1 am) Trainers: William Senft, Esq. Location: Union Mill, 1500 Union Ave, Baltimore, MD 21211 Course Fee: $225 What’s Included: Training manual and materials.

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Happening every year, since its foundation, the WPO conference is an educational and informational, but also a networking meeting, designed for women who lead multi-million dollar companies around the US.  The organization itself is dedicated to empowering women and giving them resources through peer advisory groups, local area facilitators and monthly meetings. With over 100 chapters around the world, this niche non-profit has gained momentum and a lot of recognition in the business world, as a powerful group who connects powerful women.

Here are some of the great minds who lead it http://womenpresidentsorg.com/node/171.

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