Level 1 — First mediation session
Building initial trust between two parties in a minor dispute.
Opening a mediation session for the first time between two parties in a minor dispute.
Listen to each party's account of the conflict without passing early judgment.
One party becomes agitated early on, and you must calm the atmosphere.
Level 2 — Understanding both sides' interests
Uncovering the real interests behind both parties' stated positions.
Discovering that a party's stated position hides a different underlying interest.
You discover that one party's stubbornness stems from real fear, not defiance.
Identify which interests are shared and which are actually in conflict.
Level 3 — Proposing compromises
Crafting creative solutions that serve both sides' interests.
Suggesting the first compromise based on the discovered interests.
One party objects to a part of the proposed solution and you must modify it.
Suggest an out-of-the-box creative solution that neither party had considered.
Level 4 — Staying neutral under pressure
Proving your neutrality to a skeptical party during a tense mediation.
One party questions your neutrality and accuses you of favoring the other side.
One party tries to indirectly win you over to their side.
Tension spikes suddenly mid-session, threatening to derail the process.
Level 5 — Successfully closing a difficult mediation
Reaching a final agreement with a party who refuses to concede.
One party refuses to proceed with mediation and questions its overall effectiveness.
Draft a final, clear, written agreement with both parties to end the dispute.
After reaching an agreement, help both parties rebuild a positive relationship for the future.