Mediation

Goodman Solutions unique methodology is a combination of a professional mediation service with a conflict management coaching program that aims to build more positive, functioning relationships in the workplace. Preventive and maintaining relationships is key.

I don’t just help you resolve any dispute as a one-off I help you get beyond the conflict to examine how to manage relationships more effectively. This involves understanding your conflict style and the other styles of team members, strategies for dealing with tensions before they manifest into a dispute.

5 Surprising Reasons Why You Must Have Workplace Conflict

Workplace Conflict is often
associated with:

Low employee morale, job satisfaction and motivation = leads to stress =Australian economy $14.81 billion a year.

Stress= absenteeism + presenteeism:

Costing Australian organisations $10.1 billion a year.

On average, 3.2 days per worker are lost each year due to workplace stress. The trend, sadly, is that workplace stress is on the rise. A survey by Korn Ferry indicated that overall employee stress levels have risen nearly 20% over the last three decades.

When people are stressed it can potentially lead to errors, poor planning, poor communication and disagreements.

It can result in people wasting time on arguing, gossiping, backstabbing, taking sides and basically neglecting the job at hand.

This has consequences for productivity levels and performance. Ultimately it can lead to loss of revenue, negative company image and additional costs in recruitment and training to replace the high turnover of staff.

Ease the emotions, the stress or constant worry, improve sleep and develop effective coping skills when managing difficult conversations. Everyone reacts differently to either delivering or being at the receiving end of a difficult conversation. Be prepared. Improve your delivery and acceptance skills. What words do I use? How can I lessen ‘the pain’ on both sides? How do I access techniques to have more effective coping skills? Should I have an independent person at the process? What is an effective mediation process?

Conflict can cause stress, anxiety, lack of trust and fearfulness.

Goodman Solutions is an independent and approved provider for mediation and coaching services. I don’t just help you resolve any conflicts or disagreements I help you to maintain your relationships and sustain them in a more positive and productive way.

I work with you in a highly confidential, unbiased, and professional manner to manage conflicts and disputes either through a mediation process and or conflict management coaching. When we choose not to address conflict in a timely manner it can cause a breakdown in communication, loss of trust and respect which results in lower productivity, poor relationships and even burnout. Furthermore, unsolved conflict can escalate to require litigation that costs $$$$!

I help to clarify the issues, keep the discussion on course and ensure everyone gets a chance to make their point. I do not give advice or pass judgment. I help the parties put an agreement in writing, so its terms are clear and satisfactory to all. It’s a win-win approach.

Yes I need support in managing conflict!

Let’s face it – conflict is a natural part of our lives – personally and professionally it exists. It is how we handle a conflict situation that makes the difference with the outcome.

If you are experiencing workplace conflict you need an independent unbiased mediator. Battles, scars, wins, successes and all – I’ve been there and done it all. Based on these experiences from 35 professional years, frequently resolving conflict and being noted for my success and professional calm manner is what motivated me to become a nationally qualified mediator who delivers a highly confidential, high standards, an impartial process that is affordable and fair to both parties.

Yes I need mediation support

So Why Mediation?
Because Workplace Conflict is Contagious!

When people are stressed it can potentially lead to errors, poor planning, poor communication and disagreements. It can result in people wasting time on arguing, gossiping, backstabbing, taking sides and basically neglecting the job at hand. This has consequences for productivity levels and performance. Ultimately it can lead to loss of revenue, negative company image and additional costs in recruitment and training to replace the high turnover of staff.

The trouble is that if conflict is not addressed it can lead to a toxic workplace environment. Lack of trust and respect and generally poor communication fester throughout the corridors. One of the real problems is that conflict is contagious. When one party to conflict does not feel satisfied or feels only partially satisfied, the seeds of discontent are sown for a later conflict. It’s a contagion. When one colleague feels stressed the ripple effect can impact the team. It’s a contagion. More so, if one’s manager is stressed it is often transferred to the team by their high-tension behaviour. Again, its contagion. A recent article by Forbes alerted that management stress is contagious. Additionally, Korn Ferry research found that the biggest stress at work was indeed one’s boss!

Goodman Solutions delivers high-quality dispute services in accordance with the National Mediator Accredited Standards (NMAS) as part of the unique approach to conflict management. When conflict cannot be resolved internally and requires a third independent party, a mediator, Goodman Solutions steps in to help.

Mediation is defined by the NMAS as “a process in which participants, with the support of the mediator, identify issues, develop options, consider alternatives and make decisions about future actions and outcomes”.

My role as an accredited mediator is to act as an independent third party and manage the process of dispute and conflict resolution, supporting both parties to make decisions and agree on outcomes, where appropriate.

In a confidential space, I address complex problems, gather relevant information and collaborate with parties to generate and test a range of solutions and outcomes.

I use down to earth communication skills, build rapport and provide confidentiality with each party. I am comfortable with liaising with a variety of stakeholders and I connect with specialist knowledge experts when necessary.

Why mediation? The benefits

Win-win resolution approach (unlike litigation, there is no focus on who is right and who is wrong)
To be ‘heard’ and to participate in developing outcomes
Affordable – cost effective especially compared to litigation
Future focussed
Flexible
Voluntary
Tailored to your specific needs
Friendly non – litigative language
You have control over the process and outcome – ultimately final decision is in your hands
Less formal (than litigation)
Cooperative, non -adversarial focus
Non-binding and risk free
Ethically bound by national standards
Confidential and non-biased service
Highly professional
Experienced business practitioner

This makes mediation a preferable option to litigation or other alternative dispute resolution (ADR). These methods, such as litigation, can make parties feel alienated due to large court costs, long delays, the adversarial process where the focus is on who is right and who is wrong, using unfamiliar language and predefined legal remedies. The ultimate decision is in the hands of the judge, not yours.

My experience in dispute resolutions techniques, built from nearly 30 years in the public service sector, including when I was a school principal, and now as a small business director, includes facilitative settlement and conflict management coaching. Besides mediating disputes, I work with you to prevent them in the first place! By developing people’s leadership skills, we can take a solution focussed, preventive approach rather than a reactive one.

You will feel more at ease knowing an independent person is helping you resolve a disagreement, dispute, or conflict in a professional manner. You will be glad to have your voice heard in a fair environment. You will feel more confident knowing you have been part of the solution that is mutually beneficial to you and the other party. It’s a win-win situation.

What is the Mediation Process?

I focus predominately on facilitative mediation. This is where the mediator assists in managing a process which supports the participants to make decisions about future actions and outcomes.

Occasionally, a ‘blended’ approach may be utilised, for example, information and advice from an expert may be sought. Regardless, the process is still about self-determination and is requested by the participants.

An outline of the 8 Step Mediation Process used by Goodman Solutions is as follows:

Mediator opens by welcoming parties, explains the process, confidentiality, the role of the mediator, the role of participants, communication guidelines.

Each party has an uninterrupted opportunity to make their presentation to the mediator

First Joint Session -Reflecting back – the mediator reflects back to parties viewpoints

An agreed agenda of issues is set

Interest exploration (first joint session explained by mediator – parties talk to each other)

Private session – each party has a confidential session with the mediator

Second Joint Session – begin brainstorming to resolve things

Evaluation, negotiation, close

For more detail download Goodman Solutions Mediation
Information Package here.

Download Now!

Embrace conflict – it can empower you to learn more about yourself and others! ! Let Goodman Solutions Unique 3 Critical Response Approach Model for conflict resolution guide you to a more fulfilling relationships/partnerships.