Mediating high conflict disputes requires a shift from many standard mediation approaches. When one or more of the parties has a high conflict personality, the process should have more structure and focus away from common mediation topics, such as emotions, the past, and interests, and instead focus more strictly on problem-solving. By having the clients participate more actively in the process – and the mediator serve more as a guide for their active participation – they are more likely to reach their own agreements and follow them. 

In today’s episode, Bill and Megan talk with attorney/mediator Michael Lomax, co-author of Mediating High Conflict Disputes (Unhooked Books, 2021) about 10 paradigm shifts that are necessary for mediating high conflict disputes, and serve as the backbone for the New Ways for Mediation®. They will also discuss why to avoid mediating apologies.

Links & Other Notes

• ABOUT MICHAEL LOMAX
• BOOKS
  • Mediating High Conflict Disputes: A Breakthrough Approach with Tips and Tools, and the New Ways for Mediation Method
  • So What’s Your Proposal? Shifting High-Conflict People from Blaming to Problem-Solving in 30 Seconds!
• ARTICLES
  • 10 Paradigm Shifts of High Conflict Mediation
• ONLINE COURSES
  • Hybrid On Demand + Live Virtual Training: 12-hour New Ways for Mediation Training with Licensure
  • On Demand Course (75-minute training + 3-hour demonstration): New Ways for Mediation Training and Demonstration
  • On Demand Course: So, What’s Your Proposal? Using Proposals with High Conflict Clients

Our website: https://www.highconflictinstitute.com/

Submit a Question for Bill and Megan

All of our books can be found in our online store or anywhere books are sold, including as e-books.

You can also find these show notes at our site as well.

Note: We are not diagnosing anyone in our discussions, merely discussing patterns of behavior.

• (00:00) - Welcome to It's All Your Fault
• (01:47) - 10 Paradigm Shifts of High Conflict Mediation
• (02:53) - Michael's Background
• (05:24) - Writing the Book with Bill
• (07:17) - Paradigm Shifts
• (08:15) - Paradigm Shift #1
• (10:34) - Paradigm Shift #2
• (14:49) - Paradigm Shift #3
• (19:05) - Paradigm Shift #4
• (21:29) - Paradigm Shift #5
• (25:36) - Paradigm Shift #6
• (27:34) - Paradigm Shift #7
• (30:25) - Paradigm Shift #8
• (33:17) - Paradigm Shift #9
• (38:13) - Paradigm Shift #10
• (42:21) - Paradigm Shift #11
• (45:00) - Paradigm Shift #12
• (47:41) - Wrap Up

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