The Mediator's Toolkit

Book excerpt: “Dives deep into the psychology of information and emotion in conflict situations . . . Highly recommended for facilitators and negotiators as well as mediators.” —Jennifer Beer, author of The Mediator’s Handbook and negotiation instructor at Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania Knowing how to formulate and ask incisive questions to get to the core of a conflict, challenge entrenched thinking, and shift perspectives is the key to successful conflict resolution. The Mediator’s Toolkit employs the author’s powerful “S Questions Model” to provide readers with the skills and tools to do just that. It addresses four dimensions of successful questions for mediation: the subject matter dimension, the structure dimension, the information-seeking dimension, and the shifting thinking dimension. The toolkit clearly explains: The theory behind each question type, including exploration of relevant neuroscience and psychology The purpose of different types of questions How the questions work When to use different types of questions How to build and apply questions to mediation in a non-threatening way This essential practical guide will radically sharpen, focus, and improve the questioning skills of qualified mediators, students, lecturers, trainers, and those using questions to challenge and effect change, in any context.