It is a shame that
mediators across different sectors do not often meet and exchange tips very
often because there is a lot we can learn from one another. I recently ran a
three day mediation training course with Good Relations Oldham who came into
being after the Oldham Riots. On their web site they state that their aim is ‘To help build good relations between people,
communities and organisations. Independence and impartiality are our guiding
principles.’ GRO ‘offers conflict resolution and mediation services and
training’ and claims that ‘we can help you develop insight that will
change the way you look at conflict forever.’
A team of
dedicated, diverse volunteers have trained over 200 people in mediation and
conflict resolution skills and also resolved some difficult community issues.
When I met and worked with the team, I was really impressed by how each person
had a distinctive voice and had chosen to put considerable personal resources
into relationship building for a range of personal, cultural and social
reasons. This was not a career trip or qualification hunt but an act of
conviction.
The GRO
practitioners also had a range of stories, anecdotes and snapshots about their
work, the people they have trained and the people they work with. Samples of
this appear on a recent video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dmlvss4_trE.
GRO has
created a powerful resource achieving much more than just an improvement of
case resolution rates. When workplace mediators finish their training they are
often equally inspired by what they have learned about themselves, and the
positive nature of mediation. Hopefully they retain and develop their optimism
as they work through their cases. Many organisations leave it there and do not
make the most of what they have created.
What I
learned from GRO is that it is possible to go beyond casework and offer much
more than just an alternative to more formal, legal approaches to conflict
resolution. This dedicated group has developed beyond mediation casework to
also provide training, conflict coaching, community building and group
facilitation. This is a model that I believe could suit many workplaces. Just
imagine the spreading the skills and self-awareness that build good relations
and encourage challenging ‘conversations that improve everybody’s lives.’
See more
about ‘going beyond casework in the up and coming ABC Guide to WorkplaceConflict Resolution – Part 2 Resolution Architecture.
John Crawley
