Cooperative Coaching and Mediation

So I mediated a dispute between a group of older women in a retirement home about a change in leadership of the Bingo committee yesterday. I eventually asked them to separate the different roles and tasks from the people. "What roles are needed to make the Bingo night work?" I asked. One woman calls out "Set up." I write it on the flip chart. Another woman calls out, "Treasurer" I add it to the list. Another woman calls out "Ball Handler!" I pause. The entire group of retired women starts snickering like a bunch of 13 year old boys. I say, "That sounds really important." They all burst out laughing. The rest of the mediation was easy from there. I love my job.

Sometimes my meditation clients mean well but …..