If one or more of these are true then mediation is probably your best option:

• Maintaining a relationship with the other party is important

• The issues are complicated by strong emotions

• One party feels uncomfortable confronting the other, particularly without an impartial third party

• A decision must be reached soon

• One or both parties doubt their ability to work out the problem on their own

• One or both parties want to avoid formal proceedings

• Both parties are ready to talk and make changes.
  

In business partnerships, mediation is an effective way of protecting the business as partnership disputes are worked through and resolved to both sides satisfaction. It provides a safe place for conflicting parties to work through their issues where they are in control of the outcome, while continuing to meet their daily responsibilities and the needs of the business. 

Mediation helps to establish and maintain successful working relationships. In today’s ever-changing business environment, the difference between success and failure is often a function of the quality of the relationships within an existing business as wells as between businesses. 

• The mediator provides an impartial, balanced and safe environment for parties to reach informed voluntary agreements.

• Participants have a higher degree of satisfaction and are more likely to comply with the agreements that they have actively participated in creating.
  

• Confidentiality to the extent that all desire and agree upon.
  

• It is completely voluntary, meaning that participants can leave at any point with or without reason.

• It is a collaborative process during which all parties work together to resolve the conflict in a way which best meets everyone’s needs.​

In large organizations, disputes between individuals or with other organizations are routinely resolved through mediation. It is not only less costly and more time efficient than suing in court or undergoing long destructive EEO investigations, but it allows parties on both sides to participate in creating desired solutions while affording them the opportunity to repair and strengthen important ongoing relationships. The company also saves the potential loss of a valued employee.

Through mediation, Ursula can help solve workplace disputes within teams and between teams as well as interpersonal conflicts between individuals.

​

The mediator’s task is to assist the parties to reconcile their competing interests, by assisting them to examine their interests and needs, negotiate promises and redefine their relationship to their mutual satisfaction. This is achieved by:

• All parties meeting with the mediator both jointly and or separately.

• After the initial opening statement all parties have uninterrupted time to share and hear each other's story.

• Parties then have time to openly share feelings and beliefs, respond to others accusations and perceptions and ultimately come to an understanding of the main issues, obstacles and possibilities.

• There may come a time when the mediator will call for separate meetings with each party.

• The mediator assists in setting the agenda by reframing the complaints and concerns as a set of issues to be resolved.

• The mediator supports the parties to build an agreement by working through the issues. This is done by eliciting new ideas, evaluating and refining alternatives which have everyone’s best interest at heart, developing and testing specific proposals.

• A final agreement is reached which is workable and acceptable to all parties.