Creating a Positive work Environment for both Employer and Employee

Being a professional mediator for the last eight years has been a wonderful and rewarding experience.
When Parties come to mediation the hope is that they will be open minded to listening to one another in hopes that they can gain perspective and understanding into each other’s point of view. This is one of the crucial steps in beginning to settle differences and come to a mutual agreement that works for both parties.
My job as the mediator is to facilitate the conversation and also be an active listener. One of my most important roles is to validate parties feelings. Often times I find that parties in conflict are because no has taken the time to really listen to how the other is feeling and therefore these feelings of being ignored can create animosity and turmoil in the workplace. Sometimes it takes a simple and earnest statement such as “I hear what you saying and I’m sorry you are feeling ignored, what can I do to help?” This kind of statement promotes positive communication which creates a very pleasant working environment and one in which respect is built for both employer and employee.