With 80% of mediations ending in resolution according to Stephen Goldberg, law professor at Northwestern University, why would any business not try mediation? I remember one workplace conflict, where the parents and adult son partnered in a business. The parents invested capital and the son managed the day-to-day operations. Conflict erupted when employees began taking complaints to the parents concerning their son’s management decisions. When the parents began usurping their son’s authority by overriding his decisions, the conflict escalated to dangerous proportions. Feeling betrayed and angry, the son severed his relationship with his parents and refused to let them see their grandchildren. Fortunately, through several mediations, they managed to restore a healthy relationship and get their business back on track.
For partnership issues, especially family businesses and small businesses, unresolved conflict can effect the future of your company or worse, your family. There is a lot at stake! Because mediation is non-adversarial, it provides the means to re-establish a foundation for trust, where relationships can be restored. Compared to litigation, mediation is more efficient, less expensive financially and emotionally, and confidential. We’ve all heard of the intractable effects of lawsuits on a business’ image and financial vitality. Are you sure you want to relinquish control of decisions to attorneys and judges? Why would any business not try mediation?