Mediation Questions Training

based on the book:

‘The Mediator’s Toolkit: Formulating and Asking Questions for Successful Outcomes’
Author and Trainer: Gerry O’Sullivan

Training course to radically sharpen, focus, and improve your mediation questioning skills to help you facilitate parties to successful and sustainable outcomes.

Presented by Gerry O’Sullivan, O’Sullivan Solutions

This information includes a video advertisement as well as a complimentary video from Module 1.

Each module starts with delivery of the theory behind the question type, then film footage of a role-played mediation demonstrates the use of that question and this is followed by a presentation of its application to mediation practice. Workbooks with comprehensive notes, exercises and discussion points are also provided.

Introductory Module 1

Module 1a: The Context for Creating a Paradigm Shift

• This module shows the goals that need to be achieved when asking questions in mediation. You will learn how the distortion, deletion and deficit of communicated information can hinder or block conflict solution and the physiological changes that occur when parties are in conflict.

Module 1b: Use of ‘The S Questions Model’ and its application

• This module gives an overview of the framework of the S Questions Model and the four dimensions of questions within that model. It also introduces the Film Case Scenario that will be used as the context for all the filmed role plays in the other modules and the Practice Case Scenario that will be used in exercises post learning.

 Module 2

Shift Thinking: Journey of Inference Questions

• The film contained in this module sets the context for the dispute, giving the interpretations and assumptions that parties made about the conflict situation and how this led to their misunderstanding of each other and to the positional stance that they took. These Journey of Inference questions make an unconscious thinking process conscious and introduce new insight to the parties that creates understanding between them. They shift a party’s perspective from their old narrative towards a new and more healthy narrative.
  (Demonstration film is done with both parties in the room)

Module 3

Shift Thinking: Other People Questions

• The first film in this module illustrates how to challenge Kathy’s Journey of Inference (interpretations, assumptions and conclusions) by using Other People Questions and demonstrates how this can be done in a safe way. The second film uses Other People Questions with both parties in the room together at a later phase of the mediation. These questions broaden the perspectives of parties and make it easier for them to respond to questions which might otherwise invoke a feeling of threat. They facilitate a party to think cognitively, rather than from an ‘avoid-threat reflex’ state and they create understanding and illustrate empathy between parties.
  (Demonstration films are done with one party and both parties in the room)

 Module 4

The two films in this module cover separate meetings with one of the characters, Kathy, during which a paradigm shift starts to take place as a result of the questions she is asked. As a result, Kathy starts to become more congruent in her communication and will be better prepared for the joint meeting.

Module 4a: Shift Thinking: Neuro-Linguistic Programming based Questions

·         These questions bring clarity and explore subjective realities, reconnecting a party’s language, along with its deletions, distortions and generalisations, with their actual experience.  They separate a party’s ‘fears’ from the ‘facts’ and support a party to move from a place of intransigence. These questions lead to an adjustment of a party’s subjective reality and a paradigm shift in their thinking and approach.
(Demonstration film is done with one party at a separate meeting)

Module 4b: Distinctions and Differences Questions

·         These questions also bring clarity and explore subjective realities. Specifically. they enable a party to step back from the conflict and view it with an alternative perspective. The questions bring clarity, relevance and boundary to a conflict. They bring measurement regarding something that requires more precise information such as the extent of an impact on parties; the level of understanding reached; the progress made during the mediation process; the appropriateness of solutions etc. These questions lead to an adjustment of a party’s subjective reality and a paradigm shift in their thinking and approach.
(Demonstration film is done with one party at a separate meeting)

 Module 5

Shift Thinking: Cognitive Elements Based Questions

• This film demonstrates a private meeting with Tom and it shows how to identify clashing cognitive elements resulting in cognitive dissonance within him. The mediator demonstrates how to use this knowledge as a means for a party to identify future actions in order to return to a state of cognitive consonance. By returning to this state, a party can start to think logically and make rational decisions. These questions gently and safely challenge a party that is strongly defending their position or who appears to be in ‘denial’. They facilitate a party to explore their dissonance so that they can get to the root of their inner conflict, and make decisions about how they need to address their conflict in the joint session.
  (Demonstration films are done with one party at a separate meeting)

 Module 6

Shift Thinking: Underlying Interests Questions

• The two films in this module show how asking questions that go below the surface of a party’s position can lead to the core of their conflict and lead to their underlying interests and needs. Once this is done, parties become less emotional and are able to think cognitively and make decisions. Identifying these conscious or unconscious underlying interests provides a platform from which appropriate and sustainable agreements that meet a party’s underlying interests, rather than their positional demands, can be reached.
  (Demonstration film is done with both parties in the room)

 Module 7

The two films in this module cover separate meetings with one of the characters, Kathy, during which a paradigm shift starts to take place as a result of the questions she is asked. As a result, Kathy starts to become more congruent in her communication and will be better prepared for the joint meeting.

Module 7a: Future Focus Questions

·         Future Focused questions can change the state of a person so that they begin to think logically rather than emotionally. This allows them to safely think through the kind of agreements that could meet their underlying interests and needs. These questions paint a possible hypothetical, conditional or consequential picture on which parties can reflect and make decisions, from outside their current paradigm. These questions move a party off the conflict treadmill and lessen the chance of a party having an amygdala hijack and thinking from an emotional perspective.
(Demonstration films are done with one party on their own as well as with both parties in the room)

Module 7b: Shift Thinking: Reflective Connecting Questions

·         Reflective Connecting questions facilitate a party or parties to see the cycle of conflict that developed between them and how each of their actions may have led to a reaction from the other.  They enable parties to make connections and links between various facets of a conflict, thus broadening and expanding their thinking. These questions increase understanding and facilitate the parties to agree actions should an incident like this arise in the future.
(Demonstration film is done with both parties in the room)

 

The ‘S Questions Model’ is one of the most meaningful and useful trainings I’ve experienced. It is a truly transformative model of questioning.  Gerry teaches the art of asking questions on a whole new level. I will never mediate or coach in the same way again.

Kathleen Young, M. Ed., North Shore, Massachusetts, U.S.A.

 

I found the content and delivery to be exceptional and I can honestly say that I have learned more from this incredible training than any other course I have completed. I attended the live four half-days online training.”

Sharon McGarr, BA (Hons) Psychology, MA Mediation and Conflict Intervention

Fieldwork Coordinator on the PRIMERA Project 

 

 I completed the fantastic course on ‘The S Questions Model Training’. The engaging course material – expertly delivered – gave me new insights into the skill of question formulation for mediation. Gerry is making an enormous contribution to the Mediation profession, thank you for a truly excellent course.

Teresa Blake, Senior Counsel (Member of the Inner Bar) & Accredited Mediator

 

 Gerry is a question wizard. She knows exactly what type of question to ask to unlock a situation. Her poise, calm manner and extensive experience with which she asks even incisive and uncomfortable questions are exemplary. I enjoyed the training and her sharing of knowledge and skills tremendously.

Naett Atkinson Co-Founder at Let’s Resolve, South Africa

 

 ‘…even though I have mediated 50 plus scenarios this was a real eye opener with lots of take aways for next week’s mediation.’

Martin Medforth, CMC Registered Mediator (Civil, Commercial, Workplace and Employment) at Eynhallow Ltd., U.K.

 

If you have ever been in a Mediation and you know that you are stuck and need some guidance on how to transform the conflict this online course is for you. Gerry’s training has given me a template for asking questions that go beyond the traditional methods that I was familiar with.

Noreen Fitzpatrick, Focus, Ireland

 

 This online course is really insightful. It provides the opportunity not only to deepen the theoretical knowledge of the mediation process in a structured way, but also to practice some techniques with your peers,

Natalia Djandigava, Project Manager at Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), Moldova

 

I’ve just finished a brilliant online training course delivered by the wonderfully knowledgeable and published author, Gerry O’Sullivan. I highly recommend Gerry’s course – and her book!

Rachael Bicknell, Founder Squaring Circles, Mediator & Solicitor, Edinburgh, Scotland

 

 

‘Without a doubt this has been one of the best trainings I have been part of and I would highly recommend it to all mediators to enhance their questioning skills.’

 

Louise Hyland, Conflict Coach, Mediator and Trainer, Innerworks, Naas, Ireland