The essence of omnipartial mediation is that the mediator is on the side of all parties to a conflict. It is a stance more engaged than an impartial or neutral position, while staying committed to creating a process that does not unfairly advantage any party at the expense of any other party.
The mediator does not give advice on what parties should do. Nor does the mediator make decisions for the parties. The mediator does advise, suggest, encourage parties to consider new information, new ways of understanding, new ways of conceptualizing – and this process can never be 100% neutral – ideal perfect neutrality is impossible!
The omnipartial mediator uses the ‘power of process’ to lead a process committed to empowering the parties to making their own decisions. We will support all parties to the conflict to present their views and understand the views of others. At the same time we will help the parties to consider those views – challenging understandings to confirm, strengthen, build on, and even transform those views in the service of opening the road to conflict resolution.
You remain in charge. We ask tough, honest and empathic questions, while managing a process where all answers are acceptable – answers including “I don’t know” or “I don’t want to say”.
Finding the balance between support and challenge is our art. It is firmly anchored in our uncompromising commitment to remain an ally to everyone in the process by being an ally to the process itself. We’re on your side, and theirs – right where you need us to be to drive the building of relationships and resolutions.