What Happens in Mediation?
Professional mediators help resolve conflicts between two parties through a variety of techniques. They’ll encourage positive communication and work towards a result that makes everyone happy. Basically, mediation is the art of conflict resolution.
These professionals act as a neutral third party in an argument. They can work in just about every field. For example, mediators assist with law, business disputes, and relationships.
Often, mediation is the step before a lawsuit or court hearing. Couples that are divorcing will use a mediator to help divide up assets. This process allows both parties to get what they want and avoid hefty court fees. Indeed, a legal battle can result in assets getting divided up in a way that makes everyone unhappy.
As a Career
As we mentioned, mediators deal with a variety of cases. Some clients may be angry and difficult to work with. Notably, many people are past the point of a simple argument if a professional had to be called. Thus, a great deal of patience and emotional control is required to work in mediation. Additionally, a great mediator will know how to speak to angry clients and help them calm down.
However, every day won’t be a battlefield. Professional mediators don’t always deal with angry clients. Companies and individuals sometimes need a neutral third party to ensure everyone gets a fair deal. Think of it less as an argument and more of assurance for both sides.
Additionally, sometimes clients can’t tell what is fair. Both businesses will think they’re getting the short end of the stick. Mediators, in this case, can help everyone see eye-to-eye.
Of course, what type of client you work with depends on you. With this job, you can choose which direction you take your business. Maybe you prefer to work with divorce cases. Notably, every path you take will always lead you to difficult clients. Again, no one hires a mediator if they can’t take care of the dispute themselves. Ensure you can handle the emotional demand of this career.
Qualities of a Good Mediator
Beyond patience and emotional control, a good mediator will be able to separate themselves from a case. You must be able to think and act objectively in this role. Indeed, you can’t get drawn into one party’s favor.
In mediation, you must also be adaptable. Consider how many different cases you’ll oversee and the people you’ll meet. You need to be able to go with the flow of each job. Clients may be angry or unemotional. They’ll be honest and upfront – and sometimes they’ll lie to you with every breath. Furthermore, you may get involved in difficult and heartbreaking cases. Strong mediators can handle what’s thrown at them – within reason.
Additionally, you need to be able to control your emotions outwardly. As with any position, you’ll run into clients you simply will disagree with. However, if they see you roll your eyes or show your disdain, they may lose trust in you. For successful mediation, both parties need to trust that you’re impartial.
Finally, you must be able to speak assertively. If you seem unsure that something is fair or you back down to someone’s demands, you won’t be able to take care of both parties. Instead, you need to help direct the conversation towards resolution. Not every client will have that same goal. Truly, some people will never be happy with the end result. It’s up to you to ensure it’s fair regardless of high emotions.
Salary
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, professional mediators earn a median salary of $49,410. However, some make upwards of $200,000 per year in this position. Some private mediators charge up to $500 per hour for their services. Thus, your pay depends on a few factors.
As with any job, education impacts your salary. At the start, someone with a degree will have more opportunities. That number will shift with time and experience.
Additionally, your preferred clients will strongly impact what you earn. Most people use mediation because it is cheaper than a lawsuit. Corporations and affluent individuals bring in more money. However, you can choose how many clients you see each week if you have your own business. Some legal professionals will mediate as a side gig to bring in more money. You can work part-time or full-time in this job. Ultimately, your choices greatly affect how much you earn as a mediator.
Job Outlook
Mediation isn’t going away anytime soon. Notably, the BLS anticipates a 10% increase in job growth between 2020 and 2030. This rate is faster than average for most jobs in the United States.
Since 2017, more people have opted for mediation over going to court. With legal fees only going higher, this trend is not expected to change. Additionally, people will always have disagreements in every part of life. Relationship, legal, business, and personal disputes are a regular part of life. Truly, not everyone can get along or agree. We tend to fight when we perceive that our livelihoods are at risk.
Thus, people across the country benefit from professional mediators. You can help your clients resolve disputes without hefty fees or brutal arguments in this role.
Types of Mediation
There are three main types of mediation: facilitative, evaluative, and transformative. In this role, you may have a preferred style, or you may utilize all three to help various clients.
Evaluative mediation is the most neutral, where legality is considered over the clients’ wants. Transformative processes involve both parties looking for a deeper resolution than just the issue at hand. And facilitative mediation is the in-between. These mediators aren’t personally involved with the client, but they don’t look at the dispute from only a legal standpoint.
Keep reading to learn more about what defines these processes.
Facilitative
Facilitative mediation is what most people will think of when they think of a mediator. These professionals focus on the goals of each party. They’ll explore what each client wants and needs from this dispute. Then, they’ll guide the argument towards a resolution that fits everyone’s goals.
Basically, the clients decide on the solution – the mediator guides them to it.
Evaluative
Evaluative mediation looks at the dispute as a whole. Mediators who use this process acknowledge the strengths and weaknesses of each party’s argument. Then, they’ll give their input on a solution.
Notably, this process doesn’t consider personal wants as much as true fairness. This type is mostly used in legal cases. As a result, many mediators who engage in evaluative mediation have a legal background. Indeed, they may work with attorneys more than the disputing parties. On the other hand, this type of mediation is valued by clients who desire a truly neutral third party.
Transformative
Transformative mediation requires a great deal of involvement from both parties and the mediator. This process looks behind the dispute and identifies what led to it. Ultimately, their work is meant to “transform” the clients to end the argument, hence the name.
Basically, this process ensures both parties are heard by each other. Equally as important, it makes sure that each side hears the other. Majorly, part of the goal is to repair the clients’ relationship. The mediator must also know that everyone is happy with the resolution. Often, transformative mediation can be utilized when clients will continue to see each other after the dispute.
Notably, businesses hire mediators who use transformative processes to end arguments between coworkers.
How to Become a Mediator
So, if mediation sounds like the field for you, you’re likely wondering how to get started. Professional mediators take a variety of different paths to get to this career. Indeed, some attorneys will take it on as a side job. Some even leave their position to pursue mediation full-time.
Furthermore, what it will take for you to enter your dream job also depends on what field you wish to join. You may need a law degree to become a court-appointed mediator. Majorly, the education requirement depends on your state. You may need a bachelor’s degree and additional training in some areas. In others, you might need to have your master’s. You may not to have a degree at all in select states, while you need to be a registered attorney in others.
Basically, if you want to become a mediator, we highly recommend looking into your state’s requirements.
Once you know what you need to join this career, you must figure out your next step. It might mean pursuing higher education. Mediation certificate programs are an excellent option if you have an unrelated major or need your certification.
Professional Mediator Certification
Lakewood University offers a fully online mediation certification program. This course takes 16 weeks to complete and is asynchronous. In other words, you get to choose your own weekly schedule. Many individuals struggle to enroll in college due to work and family obligations. With an asynchronous course, you can complete work at any time of the day. There are no lectures nor any commute to worry about.
This program guides you through the five stages of mediation and teaches the core qualities of a professional mediator. Additionally, upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to take the national certification exam from the National Association of Certified Mediators, or NACM.
Reach out to our admissions department today to learn more.
Final Thoughts
Overall, mediation is a great and rewarding career. You not only earn a great salary with many growth opportunities, but you can rest comfortably knowing the demand for this job is only growing.
To be a successful mediator, you must be calm, assertive, and objective. Your clients may come to you with high emotions and fears about their dispute. It’s up to you to walk them through the argument to a peaceful resolution. Some conflicts can turn ugly fast. A mediator steps in and helps everyone get what they need. In the end, mediation can be life-changing for many clients.
Join this growing career by enrolling in a program today.
