Zachary A. Schaefer, PhD Educator, Practitioner, Researcher Mediation and Communication Solutions,...
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Transcript of Zachary A. Schaefer, PhD Educator, Practitioner, Researcher Mediation and Communication Solutions,...
Zachary A. Schaefer, PhDEducator, Practitioner, Researcher
Mediation and Communication Solutions, LLC
www.commsolver.com
Eliciting and Narrating Meaningful Stories in Mediation
The Civil WarThe War for
Constitutional LibertyThe War for Southern
IndependenceThe Second American
RevolutionThe War for States'
RightsMr. Lincoln's WarThe Southern
RebellionThe War for Southern
RightsThe War to Suppress
Yankee Arrogance
The War Between the States
MCS © 2013
What I Mean by Stories…Negative ConnotationsWhat I don’t Mean by “stories”So we’re all on the same page:
Story Components/VocabularyNarratives or Stories
MCS © 2013
OverviewFisher’s Homo NarransConnecting through StoriesUseful Stories in Mediation
Procedural StoryJoint NarrativeProductive Stories
Ethical DilemmasStoryteller’s Toolbox
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Fisher’s Homo NarransStorytelling abilities differentiate us from
other animalsStories are multifunctionalFor a story to be believable, they must
exhibit:CoherenceProbabilityFidelityResonance
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Connecting through StoriesPeople tell stories to learn
Meeting peopleNew experiencesJob training
Excellent storytellers Live in the others’ languageInvolve the audienceAttorneys and Analogies
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Divergent StorylinesMediation is useful when ongoing
relationships are involvedPowerful tools
First listen, then ask questions Reality check about their understanding of
the “future”Verbalizing their Story – Speak their future
out loud Images of two households or perspectivesMove from one narrative to two new stories
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Useful Stories: ProceduresIntroductory remarksEnabling and constrainingBuilding rapport through transparency
Ask clients if they want rules, roles, normsExpectations and understanding of the
processStructures make people feel comfortable in
tense situationsCreating conversational structures is
perceived as being fair
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Narration and ControlHow much control should a mediator exert over:
The conversational process?Interruptions?The attorneys?Solving the problem?
Omniscient Narration Inquisitive Narration
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Joint NarrativesMove from two separate stories to one joint
narrativeMany strategies exist to begin helping
clients envision the new narrative:Creative License
Hypothetical situations Stories to be told about you...
Intelligent Ignorance Twist on Socratic QuestioningFace SavingTension Breaking Put people at ease and
make them feel like the expert.
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The Forest and The TreesShift away from the immediate details of a
conflict Life goals – past and futureLife expectancies (78 year lifespan)Hobbies
Remind people of a bigger picture and a new path
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Productive StoriesTrial and ErrorReflective Thinking
Knowledge ManagementReflexive Thinking
In-the-momentNarrator errorHow’s the process working for you?
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Telling the Right Story (Ethics) “I didn’t know we set the bar that low…”
Watch Your Mouth
There Goes the Neighborhood
Emotional Reactions
Know Thyself Know Thyself
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No Context = No Story = No Understanding
What is Context Elements of ContextFrame of reference
for understandingHolistic meaning“Out of context”
Quote MiningEvents and Stories
Motivation/Intentions
Relationship HistoryEnvironmental
ConcernsFinancial SituationJob ConstraintsElicit and Eliminate
GotchasCultural Issues and
Values MCS © 2013
Storyteller’s ToolboxFacilitate Understanding
Contextual Questioning and ListeningStory Elements Assembling the Stories
Transparent Hypotheticals Shift Focus between The Forest and The
TreesDrop Professional Identities Remove Yourself from the Story
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Questions and CommentsThanks for Your Participation
Zach Schaefer St. Louis, [email protected]: @CommSolver
MCS © 2013