Reflective Practice shows us our Strengths as Mediators

Elizabeth Rosa February 2026

Reflective practice is a process for mediators to reflect on how they have applied the mediation model and skills to real life situations. It involves the mediator reflecting on what went well and what didn’t, and their thoughts on what could help next time. It also is an opportunity for the mediator to consider how they felt in the moment. It is a time for the mediator to reflect on the qualities they have as a mediator and the strengths they bring to mediations.

A mediator may feel that they were very stressed in a mediation, as they could feel that one of the participants was feeling very tense, and they worried that their emotions could escalate. Reflective practice will help a mediator to get more used to dealing with the emotions of participants. Also, it will assist a mediator in seeing that their ability to be attuned to the emotions of others is not a weakness, but a great strength. This quality helps the mediator to gauge the ‘temperature’ in the room and lead them to ensure that things are put into place to steady things. As the mediator is in charge of keeping the mediation as a safe space for all, the mediator’s ability to pick up emotions is very helpful.

A mediator may feel a lot of empathy with the participants. They may come to the mediation with great hopes for a good outcome, so that the participants can put the conflict or dispute behind them. In the pre mediation meetings, the mediator may have been struck by how much the participants had suffered over the years with the conflict. The mediator really wants everything to be fine for them in the future.

This quality of the mediator to care so much about the participants and also hope so much for a better future for them is a large dose of empathy. At first, this strong empathy may trouble the mediator. Through professional supervision, the mediator may feel less anxious about how the participants feel. The mediator may realise that they are providing the process of mediation with care but it is up to the participants to make the best use of the process, through their own self-determination. The mediator can reflect that their empathy can be helpful for guiding the participants through the process and making them feel comfortable. Eventually, the mediator will see that their quality of empathy is a strength.

Mieke Brandon AM has written on Reflective Practice in her article, ‘Professional Development through Reflective Practice,’ (The Arbitrator and Mediator July 2018). In this article, Brandon writes of how mediators with practice will develop an awareness of ‘being’:

…which means being aware of who we are, and our personal qualities. The qualities that are most mentioned are: empathy, presence, genuineness, authenticity, connection, compassion, acknowledgement, understanding, engagement, and emotional intelligence so parties feel heard and valued. It is suggested that the personal qualities of a mediator are perhaps more important than any techniques mediators have been taught.

I have discussed empathy above. Another major quality mentioned in Brandon’s article is authenticity. The authenticity of mediators is paramount. This authenticity can mean many things: conscientious application of the mediation model; dedication to assisting the participants through the process and helping them resolve the matter; genuine interest in the participants; honesty and maintaining confidentiality. In other words, authenticity is actually doing and acting as you say you will. If participants detect that a mediator is not authentic, they may be less trusting of the process and less likely to stay the distance of the mediation to the end. If, however, the participants feel that a mediator is authentic, they are more likely to trust the process and feel that they can continue on with the whole mediation.

In reflecting on practice with a more experienced mediator, the mediator may find that they become more aware of the personal qualities and strengths that they have brought to their mediations. This awareness enhances those qualities as the mediator becomes aware of their significance in the mediation process. The mediator also develops more confidence in conducting mediations. It will help them to see that they are suited to this profession, despite any initial misgivings from mediations early in their career.

Elizabeth Rosa is an AMDRAS Mediator and a Fellow of the Resolution Institute. She is also a Trainer, Coach, Supervisor and Assessor. She offers Professional Supervision and Reflective Practice sessions: https://www.resolveatwork.com.au/mentoring