The Role of Name Calling in Mediation

Michael Rust, Executive Director at Winnebago Conflict Resolution Center, Inc.

All mediators have been there. “He’s just a slum lord.” “She’s a deadbeat.” Listening to these hard words can have a chilling effect on the progress of the mediation. But what if we could use these behaviors to our benefit and even turn them off when they are no longer helpful to the process? Understanding why people call others names, how we can use it, and how we can control it can be very powerful tools for the mediation toolkit.

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Visit www.nafcm.org to learn about the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) to locate a community mediation center near you. Many community mediation centers offer conflict resolution training and have volunteer opportunities. Getting involved can be a powerful way to help your local community constructively engage conflict through the use of community mediation and the talents of local community volunteer mediators.