It always seems impossible until it is done.
Nelson Mandela
Andrew Sims
Specialist independent mediation services
I specialise in facilitating difficult discussions where communication is under strain, or has broken down.
When trying to hold difficult discussions - especially where there are deeply held views on all sides - the challenges can seem insurmountable.
Common pitfalls include:
contending with the risk of constant interruption,
talking at, or past each other,
meandering off the subject,
being drawn into tit-for-tat sniping, or recrimination,
going around in circles,
becoming provoked by a raised voice, or a harsh tone,
not being sure of what the other person is really saying,
responding to the use of inflammatory language,
coping with personal accusations,
dwelling unduly on what happened in the past,
dealing with partial, or differing recollections,
fixating on who is to blame, or who is at fault,
trying to overcome a deadlock,
and resisting the temptation to walk away.
It is hardly surprising, when faced with such challenges, that many people stop talking to each other altogether.
I help people who are in conflict with each other, to have constructive discussions leading to good outcomes for all concerned.
