Trouble in your workplace?
Problems that need solving?
People who don’t get on?
Teams who don’t work well together?
IN NEED OF MEDIATION?
All estimates are free and flexible.
All meetings can be either in person or online.
Well, let me share something with you
- conflict is not BAD… it’s GOOD!
It’s inevitable and part of everyday life. If it’s well managed, far from causing problems, it provides the impetus for creativity, ideas, inspiration and success.
I can transform your issues into a productive, creative, and inspiring way forward. Let me get your staff working in harmony, managing the challenges and differences they face in the best possible way.
HERE’S HOW I CAN HELP
MY APPROACH
At the heart of every mediation are five basic needs: trust, respect, acknowledgement, recognition, and the need to be heard. Whatever the issue, the situation or the allegation the root cause is around one of these needs not being met. To get to resolution parties have to recognise each other’s needs and work out how they can meet them.
Once this happens understanding grows and they can start rebuilding their relationship and plan a way forward. The interesting thing is that both parties often have the same need but have different interpretations of how it should be fulfilled.
Simple! But how do I do it?
My approach is rooted in psychology and my experience of forty years working in organisations. I use a variety of tools from a number of schools including:
Person centred psychology, neuro-linguistic programming, non-violent communication; conflict styles; Gestalt; constellation theory; transactional analysis, mindfulness and SCARF. Everyone is different and therefore I tailor my work according to the parties in front of me. I work out what I think will work best for them and enable them to reach their goals and get the outcome they want.
“Regardless of our many differences, we all have the same needs. What differs is our strategy for fulfilling these needs.”
FOCUS AREAS
INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Having worked throughout the developing world, I have a good understanding of the challenges faced by NGOs. I appreciate how they operate, providing vital support to those in need.
Fulfilling these demands can create misunderstandings and differences of opinions among staff and beneficiaries. I bring a neutral experienced eye to any situation that needs addressing and can guide your staff to a resolution.
CHARITIES
The charity sector is close to my heart, a sector of people whose values motivate them to help others and bring about change. I have worked for both international development and domestic charities.
The energy and passion of charity staff provides the springboard for huge change and creativity however this sometimes comes at a cost - people approach things in different ways and disputes can arise.
COMMUNICATIONS
As a former BBC, Channel 4 and ITN journalist and communications expert I can get to the heart of the issues that may occur for your staff.
I know first hand the demands, constraints and opportunities they face. And as a former Director of Communications I know how organisations manage their communications functions.
As a mediator I use my knowledge of the communications arena to facilitate lasting change and agreements.
Recent Interventions
Pre Grievance
Longstanding disagreements between experienced manager of 30 years and young ambitious newcomer. Both had huge amounts to offer the organisation but didn’t understand each others way of working. This led to poor performance and low morale for both parties. The mediation enabled them to understand each other and acknowledge each others’ strengths and weaknesses. They drew up a written agreement of how to work effectively together and the complaints were withdrawn.
“I felt I was in good hands despite it being difficult process, most importantly I could trust you and we are working in a much more positive way. I could not have achieved this outcome without the mediation.”
Post Grievance
Bullying and harassment claims rooted in racism made against manager by deputy. The mediation followed a lengthy investigation which had in itself led to misunderstandings and misinterpretations of actions and behaviours. These were discussed openly and honestly by both parties and resulted in a virtual hug (online mediation)
“I never though mediation would be helpful, however Martha made the process easy and showed true professionalism.”
Team Mediation
Following an investigation, members of the team had stopped talking to each other and formed several small silos. Two of the group were off work with stress due to feeling isolated and undermined. Another member had been diagnosed with a mental health issue. The situation left work undone and deadlines missed. It was also affecting productivity. Following a 2.5 day group mediation process which included 121 and group mediation the team created a charter of how they would work together in the future.
“We are beginning to recover the dynamics we had before the complaints were made, there is much less gossiping and bad mouthing people and finally I am comfortable coming in to work.”
