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

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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

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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, MOcommsolver.comzach@commsolver.comtwitter: @CommSolver

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