The Mediator's Toolkit: Formulating and Asking Questions for Successful Outcomes

“Dives deep into the psychology of information and emotion in conflict situations . . . Highly recommended for facilitators and negotiators as well as mediators.” ―Jennifer Beer, author of The Mediator’s Handbook and negotiation instructor at Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania

Knowing how to formulate and ask incisive questions to get to the core of a conflict, challenge entrenched thinking, and shift perspectives is the key to successful conflict resolution. The Mediator’s Toolkit employs the author’s powerful “S Questions Model” to provide readers with the skills and tools to do just that. It addresses four dimensions of successful questions for mediation: the subject matter dimension, the structure dimension, the information-seeking dimension, and the shifting thinking dimension. The toolkit clearly explains:

• The theory behind each question type, including exploration of relevant neuroscience and psychology
• The purpose of different types of questions
• How the questions work
• When to use different types of questions
• How to build and apply questions to mediation in a non-threatening way

This essential practical guide will radically sharpen, focus, and improve the questioning skills of qualified mediators, students, lecturers, trainers, and those using questions to challenge and effect change, in any context.

Gerry O'Sullivan is a mediator, trainer and facilitator with over 30 years' experience in conflict resolution and training. She's a practitioner-member of the Mediators' Institute of Ireland (MII), a member of the US-based Mediators Beyond Borders Consultants Team, and has delivered training with Lawyers Without Borders. Gerry is Director of O'Sullivan Solutions and she lives on the southwest coast of Ireland.