Why Mediate?
One option for people in conflict is to go to court. The legal system can resolve their dispute, but the emotional and financial costs can be devastating.
Many disputes have a prior history of an amicable relationship. This is especially true in business disputes. Cost of conflict in the workplace click here. Litigation (arbitration or court) will likely kill any prospect of continued relations. If you are already in litigation you may have experienced the impact of the adversarial proceeding, financially and emotionally. Even in neighbor, co-worker, or family dispute cases you probably did not dislike each other before the incident occurred.
Mediation offers an alternative.
Why mediate?
- If you want to resolve a conflict calmly, quickly, affordably, fairly, and constructively
- If you want to resolve a conflict privately, without lots of people watching in a courtroom
- if you want to resolve a conflict and move on in your life, rather than letting it fester and linger in your thoughts
- If you want to use an informal process to resolve a conflict, rather than getting involved in a complex legal process
- If you want to have control of the outcome of the conflict resolution process (unlike a lawsuit or arbitration where the third party decides for you)
- If you want to be creative in finding a better solution, rather than be constrained by the limited legal options of litigation or arbitration
- If you want to repair or strengthen a relationship with the other party
- If you want to feel good about trying to negotiate the issues yourself, rather than gambling that someone else can do it for you
- If you want to find a realistic, workable solution to your problem based on your needs
Legal Battle
- Expensive
- Frustrating
- Destructive
- Lengthy
- Adversarial
- Punitive
- Relationship-Destroying
- Win-Lose
- Public
Mediation
- Affordable
- Satisfying
- Constructive
- Efficient
- Collaborative
- Restorative
- Relationship-Building
- Win-Win
- Private