Comments for Felicity Steadman

Comment on I don’t see the point of mediation! by Dick Salem

Dick Salem — Fri, 01 Apr 2011 21:44:30 +0000

You bring many memories back to this retiree, Felicity. Nothing was more important in mediation than having the parties devise their own solutions, and this worked best if they listened to each other and understood what each party viewed as the important problems and how they felt about them. An empathic mediator could model this listening behavior for the disputants and even when the parties were unable to reach accord they appreciated the mediator’s empathy, and often would say so later.

Viva Mediation, Dick

Comment on Mediator as coach by felicitysteadman

felicitysteadman — Tue, 28 Sep 2010 13:28:13 +0000

These days I always ask for written feedback from parties, providing a questionnaire for them to use for this purpose. Not only am I required to do this when I work through a mediation service, but I like to do it myself for purposes of self assessment and continuing professional development. Sometimes there is no written agreement, but the parties are satisfied and give great feedback. This often happens in workplace mediation where satisfaction is measured not by the words on a page but by the degree of understanding the parties have achieved in the mediation and the quality of the future relationship. In cases where there is a written agreement sometimes the feedback teaches me that there were things I could nevertheless have done better. It’s tough hearing this but it’s so helpful. Working with a co-mediator or assistant is another way of getting feedback. I have found that the SA model and how I worked then was quite heavily process driven. I have learned a lot in recent years about building relationships with parties, and focusing on interaction between them rather than just on content and issues.

Comment on Mediator as coach by Dick Salem

Dick Salem — Sun, 26 Sep 2010 23:54:21 +0000

It is good that you’re able to receive such favorable feedback from the participants, Felicity. It brings back pleasant memories from my berth in retirement, although in my work I typically moved on without getting specific feedback. But when I achieved a settlement, I knew that I must be doing something right. Best, from Dick

Comment on Client feedback by David Evans

David Evans — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:15:21 +0000

Felicity is a very experienced mediator.

I’d have no hesitation recommending her.