I read a good article from Roger C. Benson - Link is below. Mr. Benson raises a topic that comes up frequently in mediation- that of trying to resolve conflict for someone who is stuck in the conflict. He states, "The boulder in the path to resolving conflict is fear – fear that the other side of the conflict is up to no good and any concessions we make will be interpreted as a sign of weakness and invite further aggression. The fear comes from our hardwired, primitive and un

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood." This is easier said than done. All parties to a negotiation, whether it is as formal as mediation, or negotiating for a raise or to purchase a car, want to be heard and understood; even more than that, they hope to convince the other side, or the mediator, that they are right and should "win". For so many it is the first time they can actually "be heard" and have someone listen to their story. While giving your side is of