HOW TO DEAL WITH POWER DYNAMICS

In conflict situations mediators often deal with power discrepancies, that is, one party, for whatever reason, is perceived to have greater power than the other. So much so, it’s not unusual for one party with less means to say, “they simply don’t understand me.” In fact, that observation is often true.

Research has consistently shown more powerful persons have less empathy. It’s not only that the more powerful focus on their own goals and feel less dependent on others, but being in such a position can actually change how the brain processes social information. And comparisons of powerful individuals to those less influential suggests the mindset of those in a dominant positiion makes them less emotionally responsive to others.

Even business publications have observed that people who have been promoted in their jobs can begin to feel more powerful and lose empathy with subordinates. Such traits are also associated with politicians after they’ve assumed office.

Mediators have several tools to encourage empathy when faced with this type of disparity between participants. A simple tactic I use is to ask questions, such as, “if you have been the victim in this situation, what would you have felt? What would you have done?”

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Fred is the author of “How to Survivve a Mediation” available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.