When Push Comes to Shove A Practical Guide to Mediating Disputes [Hardcover]

Fills the rapidly-growing need for hands-on guidance in resolving interpersonal disputes in all areas of life--including the workplace, the classroom, and courtroom-adjunct programs--offering a how-to approach to mediation. This book is a valuable tool for the growing group of lay and professional mediators, including volunteers and professionals in court-adjunct programs, attorneys, teachers, and social services, along with HR professionals and managers in organizations who need these core skills areas for their work. When Push Comes to Shove covers the basic interpersonal and communications skills needed to mediate conflict, presenting a five-step mediation process, and coaches the reader through each phase. It also addresses mediation on the fly where a more structured process is not possible or called for.Preface xi

The Author xvii

A Brief Introduction to Mediation 1

1 Starting Out: The Key Concepts of Mediation 3

2 Using the Conflict Grid to Analyze Disputes and GenerateSolutions 23

3 Preparing to be a Mediator 45

Step One: First Contact 53

4 Orienting the Parties 55

5 Arranging the Meeting Space 65

Step Two: The Opening Meeting 73

6 Conducting the First Meeting 75

Step Three: The Caucus Process 89

7 Conducting Separate Meetings 91

8 Learning by Example: Two Caucus Stories 111

9 Generating Solutions and Drafting a Trial Agreement 123

Step Four: Joint/Shuttle Meetings 131

10 Planning the Next Round 133

11 Using the SOS Model (Summaries-Offers-Summaries) 137

12 Resolving Impasses 147

Step Five: Closing 163

13 Testing the Agreement 165