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, or when negotiations are stalling or failing.
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; trying to stop arguments from spiralling and not going anywhere; being drawn into tit-for-tat sniping or recrimination; going around in circles; becoming provoked by a raised voice, or a harsh tone; being unsure 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; 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.
