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    The Power of Words: Choose To Be Peacemakers

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    Osky
    Words have great power in negotiations and mediations. The mediator directs communication to structure negotiations. Certain phrases can be used to convey thoughts clearly, defuse confrontation, separate people from problems, focus on interests and principles over positions, clarify facts, show understanding, and point out weaknesses respectfully. Examples of useful phrases include "Please correct me if I'm wrong", "We appreciate what you've done for us", and "Let me show you where I have trouble following some of your reasoning."

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    The Power of Words: Choose To Be Peacemakers

    Uploaded by

    Osky
    29 views2 pages
    Words have great power in negotiations and mediations. The mediator directs communication to structure negotiations. Certain phrases can be used to convey thoughts clearly, defuse confrontation, separate people from problems, focus on interests and principles over positions, clarify facts, show understanding, and point out weaknesses respectfully. Examples of useful phrases include "Please correct me if I'm wrong", "We appreciate what you've done for us", and "Let me show you where I have trouble following some of your reasoning."

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    The Power of Words

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    Words have great power in negotiations and mediations. The mediator directs communication to structure negotiations. Certain phrases can be used to convey thoughts clearly, defuse confrontation, separate people from problems, focus on interests and principles over positions, clarify facts, show understanding, and point out weaknesses respectfully. Examples of useful phrases include "Please correct me if I'm wrong", "We appreciate what you've done for us", and "Let me show you where I have trouble following some of your reasoning."

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    29 views2 pages

    The Power of Words: Choose To Be Peacemakers

    Uploaded by

    Osky
    Words have great power in negotiations and mediations. The mediator directs communication to structure negotiations. Certain phrases can be used to convey thoughts clearly, defuse confrontation, separate people from problems, focus on interests and principles over positions, clarify facts, show understanding, and point out weaknesses respectfully. Examples of useful phrases include "Please correct me if I'm wrong", "We appreciate what you've done for us", and "Let me show you where I have trouble following some of your reasoning."

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    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
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    The Power of Words

    In any negotiation, words are the only real tools you have at your disposal. Their power
    plays a
    crucial part in any mediation.
    Words have the power to heal and the power to injure. And for this reason we must be
    certain that the words we use convey our thoughts as clearly and as unambiguously as
    possible.
    Remember, in a mediation, the mediator is in charge. He or she directs the flow of
    communication and gives structure to the negotiations. Thus, the words you use to do so are
    critical.
    The following is a list of phrases you might choose to use in your negotiations, drawn
    from Pearl M. Georgen's manual, Professional Mediator's Course . . . For Those Who
    Choose to
    be Peacemakers.
    1. ‘Please correct me if I'm wrong.’ This helps you remain open to persuasion by
    objective
    facts and principles. This also helps to defuse confrontation.
    2. ‘We appreciate what you've done for us.’ Giving personal support to the ‘other’ is
    crucial
    to separating the people from the problem.
    3. ‘Our concern is fairness.’ Showing continued concern for fairness helps you
    demonstrate
    objective criteria for resolving problems.
    4. ‘We would like to settle this on the basis of principle, not selfish interest.’ Separating
    the
    people from the problem and focusing on interests and objective criteria come into play
    with this
    statement. A ‘selfish interest’ can be interpreted to mean a hard line ‘position’ which
    ultimately
    is based upon a hidden agenda or a number of behind-the-scenes interests.
    14
    5. ‘Could I ask a few questions to see if my facts are right?’ Clarification of the facts
    will
    facilitate communication and keep misunderstanding at a minimum. Also, when you test
    your
    facts, the other has the opportunity to listen and respond, which keeps communication open.
    6. ‘Let me see if I understand what you are saying.’ Showing concern for the other and
    appreciation for wanting to be understood, helps reduce misunderstanding and
    communication
    breakdowns. It also shows that you care about what the other is saying.
    7. ‘Let me get back to you.’ Sometimes, you will not know an answer to a question a party
    has
    or you might need to confirm something with the other side. This phrase is good to employ
    in
    that situation.
    8. ‘Let me show you where I have trouble following some of your reasoning.’
    Sometimes it
    is important to point out a weakness in a party's argument or reasoning. This phrase is good
    to
    employ if that situation arises.
    9. ‘One fair solution might be . . .’ No commitment to the solution has to be agreed upon,
    therefore, people will listen with open minds and ears. Also, being able to express

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