Course Description and Summary of Topics

General/Civil Mediation Training

Mediator Skill Set Training
This course will teach the 6 process steps of the mediation process and lays the foundation for all specialty mediation trainings like domestic, juvenile, special education, personal injury, EEOC, community disputes and many more.

Understanding Conflict
This module looks at both the negative and the positive images of conflict. We will discuss the causes of conflict, as well as its depth and its impact on productivity, relationships, office dynamics, company productivity and revenue. This presentation introduces the fundamental principles for the effective conflict management.

Mediator’s Opening Statement
In this module we will look at the essential elements in a mediator’s opening statement, as well as the purpose and goal of a good opening statement.

Communication Skills
This module will look at five techniques that will keep the door of communication open during a dispute. We will discuss the limited role of communication skills when resolving a dispute and identify the mediator’s role of modeling good communication skills to the party while facilitating the flow and focus of their discussions.

Parties’ Opening Statements
In this module we will look at the goal of getting each party’s opening statement, the reason behind having each opening statement be uninterrupted, and how to handle interruptions if a party talks over the other person. In addition, we will consider how to take notes and what is important to write down.

Joint Discussion
In this module we will look at how to handle angry interaction between disputing parities. We will consider emotional outbursts and what the mediator can do to maintain focus during a mediation, as well as the specific goal of joint discussion.

Question Asking Skills
This module will examine the skill necessary for asking appropriate questions during mediation. Students will look at Bloom’s taxonomy of questions. This presentation will take an in-depth look at each step of the mediation process and identify appropriate question asking techniques for the goals of each process step.

Need Exploration
This module will teach need exploration for moving parties away from their positions and begin to negotiate around their interests. We will look at how to apply need exploration to both parties for creating settlement options.

Caucusing
In this module we will look at what a mediator needs to accomplish during individual caucus meetings with each of the parties, as well as the specific goal and purpose of each caucus toward reaching resolution.

Reconvening Together
In this module we will look at the hardest transition in the mediation process and ways to manage it effectively.

Agreement Writing
In this module we will look at how to write a strong enforceable agreement both parties can commit to. A mediator’s role shifts to include the responsibility of closing loopholes and covering details in any written agreement. This presentation identifies the usual problems plaguing mediators, including closing loops, timelines, contingencies, as well as addressing money issues and apologies.

Troubleshooting Tips
No one can predict what might happen at your mediation table. In this module we look at some common derailments and what techniques and principles you can apply to navigate the mediation back on track.

Mediation Types, ADR Processes and Georgia Requirements
This module will look at the meaning of ADR, the spectrum of different types of ADR, the plus and minus for each type. We will also take an in-depth look at various mediation types practiced today, as well as what you are expected to practice mediating in Georgia.

Conflict Communication
Communication is hard enough, but when conflict enters the picture communication takes on very particular dynamics. This presentation will uncover those dynamics and address how to identify and deal with them. We will also consider the psychology of conflict and clarify the characteristics of resolution communication.

Negotiation 101
Most of us are bad negotiators, confusing persuasion techniques for negotiation skills. This presentation will look at distinguishing between interests and options, between options and alternatives and at how to develop a strong BATNA.

Managing Anger
This module will look at ways to manage anger and escalating emotions at the mediation table. Students will examine techniques for defusing anger and emotions at the mediation table, including listening for a participant’s self-image and listening for the fear. We will look at healthy and unhealthy expressions of anger.

Cross Cultural Communication
This module addresses the need to recognized differences in order to improve communication, the dangers of assuming similarities and what a mediator can do to notice, hear and respond to differences. Ethics and Professionalism This material presents key performance indicators for industry ethics. You will better understand the importance of Self-Determination, Confidentiality and Neutrality for mediators.