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Mediation & Arbitration Section
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taps everyone for ideas, even the underappreciated equipment manager, Nathan, who shares gamewinning ideas once he believes Ted values his opinion. During the mediation, a skilled mediator leaves no one behind and will engage each person and encourage them to share their thoughts and solutions. This creates trust and mutual respect and makes the parties more willing to accept the mediator’ s perspective.
“ Believe”
Ted understands that hope is powerful so he hangs a sign with only one word in the locker room:“ Believe.” A good mediator personifies relentless optimism, from the opening statements through all of the ups and downs of the mediation. The mediator should constantly remind the parties of the progress they have made while displaying the confidence of a pilot during turbulence. If the mediator sincerely believes in the process, the parties will believe too.
Humor is a Powerful Tool
Humor often makes the truth easier to digest. Ted responds to every insult with humor thereby winning over those that attack him. Humor, especially at your own expense, disarms difficult parties, avoids confrontation and
maintains a productive atmosphere for settlement.
Ted Lasso teaches us that approaching mediation with curiosity and a problem-solving approach, rather than argument and judgment, is the most effective path to a successful resolution. n
Note: This article is an updated reprint of an article that was originally published in the November- December 2021 Lawyer issue.
Author: Harold Oehler – Oehler Mediation
Hold your next meeting at the Chester H. Ferguson Law Center 1610 N. Tampa Street, Tampa, FL 33602
The Chester H. Ferguson Law Center is an ideal location with a variety of rooms to meet your needs. Reserve for a day or for a few weeks.
Convenient to downtown Tampa, the Ferguson Law Center has many amenities:
• Six conference rooms of varying sizes
• Complimentary AV equipment and Wi-Fi
Wagner Lounge
Smith Board Room
Trenam Conference Room
Gillen Mediation Room
Stiles Conference Room
Yerrid Conference Center
• Free, street-level parking
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