[Ailist] Re: Mediation

[Anita Vestal]

Hi Gemma,
I have combined AI and all kinds of conflict resolution processes with  
great success. In custody mediation, where I was a court appointed  
mediator, the couples were usually mandated to be there. That makes a  
big difference in their receptiveness and motivation to find  
agreement. Often we had only two hours to try to craft some kind of  
agreement or reach common ground they could build on. I let them know  
that we would be going forward rather than backward, and if any  
history was brought up it would be reframed into neutral or, when  
possible, positive language.

One technique that I had 99% success with was asking each party to  
tell the other something about their parenting style they appreciated.  
This often changed the course of the dialog because in many cases it  
was the first time either had heard anything positive from the other  
about how s/he provides for their children. I also used this technique  
when mediating disputes between co-workers and employee-supervisor  
issues.

As you probably know, mediators cherish those enlightened moments when  
one of the parties can see the issue in a new more positive way. This  
was often the reward when each party heard that one appreciative  
comment from the person who was causing them such distress at the  
moment.

I have an article to be submitted for publication and other materials  
that might be helpful to your workshop. If you would like to have an  
ongoing dialog, please e-mail me at vestala7 at gmail.com.

Anita

Quoting "gemmyg at excite.com" <gemmyg at excite.com>:

>  Hi All: Does anyone have success stories of the use of AI in the   
> Mediation process? I am developing a workshop on the use of AI in   
> Mediation. Thanks. Gemma George
>
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-- 
Anita Vestal, Ph.D
Certified Mediator
Accredited Teacher of
    Tái Chi Chih

www.anitavestal.net
http://vestala.byregion.net


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