After a lot of mediations, these are the things I find myself saying most often in pre-mediation conferences.
You don’t have to agree to anything
Mediation is voluntary. You can leave. The goal is an agreement you’re genuinely comfortable with, not one you felt pressured into.
The mediator isn’t a judge
I’m not there to decide who’s right. I’m there to help both sides have a conversation they probably haven’t been able to have on their own.
Preparation matters
Know what you actually want — not just your position, but the interests underneath it. There’s usually more room to move than people think when you get past the stated demands.
It’s confidential
What’s said in the room stays there. That’s not just a courtesy — it’s enforceable.
It often works
Not always. But more often than people expect, particularly when both parties are genuinely motivated to resolve things.
If you’re heading into a mediation and want to talk through what to expect, I’m happy to chat.
