It always seems impossible until it is done.
Nelson Mandela
Andrew Sims
Specialist independent mediation services
I specialise in facilitating challenging discussions where communication is under strain, where negotiations are stalling, or when help is needed to make difficult decisions on a way forward.
When trying to hold difficult discussions - especially where there are deeply held views on all sides - the challenges can seem insurmountable.
Common pitfalls include: the risk of constant interruption; talking at, or past each other; meandering off the subject, or going round in circles; being drawn into tit-for-tat sniping or recrimination; responding to the use of a raised voice, a harsh tone, inflammatory language or personal accusation; dwelling unduly on what happened in the past, or who is to blame; dealing with differing, or partial recollections; trying to overcome a deadlock, and resisting the temptation to just walk away.
It is hardly surprising, when faced with such challenges, that many people stop talking to each other altogether.
My job is to help people who are in conflict with each other, to have constructive discussions leading to good outcomes for all concerned.
