Third-Party Interventions

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Third-Party Interventions
2
Brainstorm

• Some types of situations in which third-party
  help may be appropriate
• Some benefits and advantages of using competent
  third-parties

3
Continuum of Interventions

• Justice system
• Arbitration
• Quasi-judicial bodies
• Organization development
• Mediation
• Counseling/therapy
• Coaching, facilitation
• Informal conversations

4
Some Considerations re Informal Interventions

• Do they want help?
• From you?
• Are you reasonably competent willing?
• Clarify any changes from your usual role
• Stay neutral and objective
• Be constantly aware to avoid coalitions
• Make use of the same tools we considered for
  conflicts in which you are a party

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Helpful skills for a third party

1. Integrity
2. (Effective) Inquiry
3. Listening
4. Summarizing
5. Framing
6. Feedback
7. Assertiveness
8. Confidence
9. Objectivity
10. Sensitivity
11. Empathy
12. Able to give unconditional positive regard
13. Courage

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Exercise on 3rd-party skills

• Rate your present status on these skills
• E excellent
• G good, I can improve
• M OK, but needs more development
• D definitely needs more development

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Helpful skills for a third party

1. Integrity
2. (Effective) Inquiry
3. Listening
4. Summarizing
5. Framing
6. Feedback
7. Assertiveness
8. Confidence
9. Objectivity
10. Sensitivity
11. Empathy
12. Able to give unconditional positive regard
13. Courage

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Exercise on 3rd-party skills

• Rate your present status on these skills
• E excellent
• G good, I can improve
• N OK, but needs more development
• D definitely needs more development
• Identify two of these skills you particularly
  would like to develop further
• For each, write at least three specific things
  you can do to improve this skill

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Exercise re 3rd-party experiences

• In small groups, take turns discussing some times
  you effectively helped others in conflict
• What were some helpful factors?
• Next, take turns discussing some times when you
  tried to help but it backfired (276)
• What were some contributing factors?
• What did you learn from these experiences?

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Continuum of Interventions

• Justice system
• Arbitration
• Quasi-judicial bodies
• Organization development
• Mediation
• Counseling/therapy
• Coaching, facilitation
• Informal conversations

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Somewhat informal processes

• Coaching or counseling can help an individual who
  is unable or unwilling to meet with the other
  party (parties)
• Coaching or counseling can help prepare an
  individual for a meeting
• Facilitation during the meeting is important
• Coaching/counseling between subsequent meetings
  is key

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Continuum of Interventions

• Justice system
• Arbitration
• Quasi-judicial bodies
• Organization development
• Mediation
• Counseling/therapy
• Coaching, facilitation
• Informal conversations

13
Mediation

• Both parties need to agree to the process
• Mediator controls the process
• Parties decide the outcome
• Sometimes shuttle diplomacy is needed
• Often, a meeting with structure
• Facilitate effective communication
• Interrupt destructive moves
• Inquire, clarify, summarize
• Offer ideas and suggestions for consideration

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Some advantages to mediation

• Helps the parties satisfy their interests, rather
  than fight over positions
• Solutions are more likely to be integrative
• Parties are more likely to act on and live up to
  agreements
• Relative to arbitration or adjudication
• Less expensive
• Less damaging to relationship
• Parties are more satisfied with the process

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Some limitations to mediation

• Requires considerable commitment to working on
  the conflict
• Parties may be unable or unwilling to work
  through the conflict with the other
• Power inbalances, emotional weakness, and/or
  abuse may make one party unable to engage
  effectively
• Many small disputes may be best handled in other
  ways

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The key to effective mediation is the competence
of the mediator and the motivation of the parties