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AOD Principle(s) Applied: Mediation

Recently, Ian and Brittany were in an argument. I suppose the argument itself is not that important. The important thing is the fact that initially when two people are in an argument, they oftentimes have problems seeing things from the other person's perspective.

In this case, Ian was only focusing on what Brittany did wrong and Brittany was only focusing on what Ian did wrong. Although this is not very helpful to the resolution, it is very common and very understandable. This is the time where the two people need the help of a mediator.

When Ian and Brittany weren't together, I went to each of them separately and talked to them about how they could have changed their own actions instead of the other person's actions. This helped them realize how they were each wrong. The next time they came together, they were able to talk about everything rationally and with only creative conflict.

I was practicing the principle of mediation as an effective manner to elevate a heated argument into neutral territory where there is sensitivity for each other's feelings towards the matter.