Bringing Peace Into the Room: How the Personal Qualities of the Mediator Impact the Process of Conflict Resolution

by David A. Hoffman (Editor)

Bringing Peace Into the Room examines the personal qualities that make a mediator effective. The eminent authors of this volume go beyond traditional descriptions of academic training, theoretical orientation, and refinement of technique to confront issues related to personal temperament and the crucial psychological, intellectual and spiritual qualities of the mediation professional― qualities that are often the most potent elements of successful mediation. In this comprehensive resource, Daniel Bowling and David Hoffman bring together a stellar panel of practitioners, academics, teachers, and trainers in the field― Michele LeBaron, Kenneth Cloke, Robert Benjamin, Don Saposnek, Sara Cobb, Peter Adler, Jonathan Reitman, Lois Gold, Marvin Johnson, and others― ¾who share their personal experiences as mediators. Each contributor demonstrates that at the very heart of conflict resolution is the subtle interaction between the parties and the mediator's personal and authentic style.

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 2003

Reviews

[Rachel Yalof · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grad school books count too 🤓 this was honestly pretty good for a required class book. It made me contemplate whether I could be a mediator one day and the author shared compelling stories

[Gordon Mckinlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brings the stories of mediators to life. Even the title is highly evocative of the work undertaken as those involved know only to well. Although this originally formed part of my MSc studies, I have found it to be worth much more than that. I great book that is well worth reading and lingering over.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting to think how mediators can be trained to know themselves and use all their skills much like psychoanalysts are trained through their training analysis to manage and have insight into their personal reactions so that they can be open to the situation their clients bring to them and as unhampered as possible by their own personal prejudices.

[Chrys · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hoffman's book provides a nice account of different mediators and practitioners' perspective on what qualities a mediator should have to help solve a dispute. Easy to read and informative.