When you’re mediating, it’s important to create an emotional connection with the other person or group, even if you’re doing it virtually. Trust can be hard to come by in dispute settlements, but there are ways to build this trust with both the other party and the mediator in order to reach a successful outcome.
Here are six:
Use Open Body Language
Even though you’re not in the same room, the other person can still pick up on your nonverbal cues. If you have your arms crossed or if you’re slouching, it sends the message that you’re closed off and not interested in what the other person has to say.
On the other hand, if you sit up straight and make eye contact, you’ll appear more engaged and receptive. Additionally, you can use body language to emphasize points that you’re making verbally. For instance, if you nod while saying “yes,” this will help to reinforce your message. By being conscious of your body language, you can ensure that you come across as open and approachable in virtual mediations.
Make Eye Contact
In a virtual environment, eye contact is even more important than it is in person. Looking directly into the camera will help create a feeling of intimacy and connection.
First, try to sit up straight and keep your head level with the camera. This will help you maintain a direct line of sight with the other person. If you’re looking down at the screen, it will be more difficult to make direct eye contact.
Second, try to relax your gaze and let your eyes wander naturally. Don’t stare at the other person’s face; instead, let your eyes move around their face as you would in a real conversation. This will help you appear more natural and relaxed.
Finally, don’t be afraid to break eye contact from time to time. Looking away from the camera can help you refocus and prevent fatigue. Just be sure to look back at the camera when you’re finished speaking.
Use Warm and Friendly Language
The words you use can either build rapport or create distance. For example, using someone’s first name right away creates closeness, whereas using terms like “the other side” creates distance. By using warm and friendly language, you’ll help build a sense of trust and cooperation.
You might be bickering, but you’re still communicating with another human being (even if you’re not in the same room). Just as you would avoid using offensive language in person, you should also avoid it when you’re communicating online. By using positive and respectful language, you’ll help to create a more pleasant and productive environment for everyone involved in the call. Additionally, using friendly language will also help to build rapport and trust between you and the other people on the call and helps everyone get closer to a mutually beneficial resolution.
Listen Actively
Active listening is a communication technique that is used to encourage respect, understanding, and collaboration. It involves listening carefully to what the other person is saying, asking questions for clarification, and then repeating back what you have heard. When done correctly, active listening can help to build trust, resolve conflict. There are three steps that can help you to become an active listener:
1) Pay attention – give the person your full attention and focus on what they are saying. Avoid distractions such as your phone or other people in the room.
2) Listen for understanding – try to understand the message the person is trying to communicate. If you’re not sure, ask clarifying questions.
3) Respond effectively – once you have understood the message, respond in a way that shows you have listened and empathize with the person. For example, you could say something like “I can see how that would be frustrating.”
Use Your Natural Voice
If you sound too formal or stiff, it can come across as unnatural or even rude. On the other hand, if you sound too casual or relaxed, it might make the person you’re talking to feel like you’re not taking the conversation seriously. The best approach is usually somewhere in the middle: friendly and open, but not overly familiar. This will help to put both you and the person you’re talking to at ease, making for a more enjoyable and productive mediation session.
Dress For The Occasion
The key is to strike a balance between comfort and professionalism. Pants that are too snug or tops that are too low-cut should be avoided. You want to look like you’re making an effort, but you also don’t want to be uncomfortable for the duration of the mediation – which can last a few hours. A few well-chosen pieces can make all the difference. For instance, opting for a tailored blazer instead of your usual cardigan can make you look more pulled together, even if you’re just wearing jeans beneath it. Or consider swapping out your old T-shirt for a crisp button-down shirt. Small changes like these can go a long way in helping you look (and feel) your best for what is going to be a draining session.
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