It always seems impossible until it is done.
Nelson Mandela
Andrew Sims
Specialist independent mediation services
I specialise in facilitating difficult discussions, in situations where communication is under strain, or has broken down.
When trying to hold difficult discussions - especially where there are deeply held views on all sides - the challenges can seem insurmountable. Common pitfalls include:
coping with the risk of constant interruption,
talking at, or past, each other,
meandering off the subject, or going round in circles,
handling the threat of escalation,
responding to the use of inflammatory language, or personal accusations,
dwelling unduly on the past,
dealing with partial, or differing recollections,
fixating on who is to blame,
trying to overcome a deadlock,
resisting the temptation to walk away.
It is hardly surprising, when faced with such challenges, that many people stop talking to each other altogether.
I help people who are in conflict with each other, to have constructive discussions leading to good outcomes for all concerned.
