Advantages of Conflict Minsistry

Advantages of conflict resolution, mediation, and peacemaking

Self determination. Provides personal control to voluntarily share wants, needs, and desires for the future—all agreements are consensual.

Economical. Generally less stressful and harmful than unaddressed conflict and less expensive than litigation, which is a form of fighting and ultimately results in a win/lose.

Efficient agreements. Helping parties get on with their lives, work, and relationships, mediation often produces rapid results.

Mutually satisfactory outcomes. Participants are generally more satisfied with solutions that are mutually-agreed upon, as opposed to solutions imposed by authorities, courts, or a third party decision-maker.

High rate of compliance. Those who reach their own agreements in mediation are also generally more likely to follow through and live with the terms than those whose resolution is imposed by a third party decision-maker.

Comprehensive and customized agreements. Mediated agreements often cover procedural, relationship, professional, and heart-felt issues that are not necessarily part of a legal outcome. Parties tailor agreements to their particular situations.

Increased control and predictability of outcome. Those who develop their own agreements have more control over the outcome. Gains are more predictable and losses are minimized in a mediated process more than a situation arbitrated or litigated.

Personal empowerment. People who negotiate their own agreements often feel more powerful than those who use surrogate advocates, such as lawyers, to represent them. Mediated conflicts provides learning about and exercising personal power or influence.

Preservation of relationships desired to continue over future years. A mediated agreement that addresses all parties’ interests can preserve a preferred personal or working relationship in ways that would not be possible in a win/lose decision-making procedure. Mediated disputes can also make the termination of a relationship more amicable.

Workable and implementable decisions.  Those who mediate their differences can address specially-tailored procedures for how their agreements decisions will be carried out, increasing the likelihood that parties will actually honor and live out the terms of the settlement.

Agreements that are better than simple compromises or win/lose outcomes.  Mutually developed agreements are more satisfactory to all parties than simple compromise decisions.

Decisions that hold up over time.  Mediated agreements tend to hold up over time, including later disputes.