Challenging Conflict: Mediation Through Understanding

I believe that the understanding-based approach to conflict mediation as explained and demonstrated by case studies by Friedman is perhaps the best model I've seen thus far and I believe it lines up more closely with biblical conflict management principles than does the transformative theory of mediation (at least as presented by Bush and Folger). I understand neither of these books sets out to explore the biblical principles of conflict management and mediation, but I'm just saying that the understanding-based approach seems to more naturally align itself with Scripture.

Mediators and practicing lawyers using mediation should read this book. The authors explain a model for mediation that is different from how most people usually expect a commercial mediation to be conducted. The model does not use caucusing at all and these writers explain that they will not mediate using the traditional model. It is a fascinating journey through ten real-life mediations that the authors conducted using this model and why they believe so thoroughly in it. Even if mediator/lawyer-reader decides not to use the model in practice there is much relating to constructive resolution of conflict that can be applied in the traditional mediation models and even in non-mediated conflict resolution discourse.

I took this course a few years back and learned much about Mediation. Gary Friedman is a pro in every sense of the word. I was recently having lunch with a long term very experienced mediator. He has a different style and was interested in seeing Mr. Friedman's process which is more inclusive rather than separate meetings. I sent this as a gift. Much appreciated

This book should be a must read for everyone who works with people in conflict. It is a unique and profoundly effective model for assisting people to reach mutually acceptable resolution of their conflicts through truly understanding their needs, as well as the needs of the others with whom they are in conflict. I have recommended it to my colleagues and we chose it as a book for our year long book study. It is one of the few books that I have read again and again, each time experiencing another "ah ha moment".

I use this book as required text for my Conflict Resolution students. It is a book that is basically broken down into true stories of conflict resolution. The authors break the stories with narrative guides of the concepts and integrate very well.

The mediation model is extremely well presented with cases, educative, and significantly persuasive. And, as a bonus, it is entertaining!

It is a great window into using a more transformative approach to mediaiton. I learned a lot from this book and I greatly look forward to re-reading it!Michael Tramble J.D. -Mediator

Good mediation text book.

This is a superb book - so easily written and to understand with relevant case studies that support the learning. Highly recommend this

Die Pioniere der Mediation zeigen mit diesem Buch ihre fortschreitende Entwicklung im Verständnis zur Mediation - immer auch auf der Grundlage, wie man die Entwicklung und den Umgang mit Konflikten samt ihren teilweise zuerst einmal gar nicht mehr bewussten Hintergründen verstehen und dann in der Mediation damit umgehen kann. Das Buch ist sehr zu empfehlen - eine der nennenswerten Grundlagen für Mediation.

Genius and nothing further. What a remarkable structure to mediation and LIFE

Die Autoren beschreiben anhand von vielen Fallbeispielen ihre Haltung hinter der understanding-based mediation. Das ist sehr angenehm zu lesen und macht auch die Techniken deutlich greifbarer, weil die Fallstudien als Transkripte enthalten sind. Das Buch hat mir viele Inhalte aus meiner Ausbildung gut zusammengefasst und ergänzt. Klasse!

That was a great lecture, from beginning to end. Yes ! Understanding and accepting our shared humanity makes a difference. Thank you Gary and all who contributed for opening this path. Hopefully, we will be many to go that way.