Mediator's Qualities

Frank Blechman

Private Consultant. Formerly at the Institute of Conflict Analysis and Resolution, George Mason University

Interviewed by Julian Portilla, 2003


This rough transcript provides a text alternative to audio. We apologize for occasional errors and unintelligible sections (which are marked with ???).

Q: What sort of qualities do you think that someone doing this work should have?

A: Personal qualities?

Q: Yes.

A: Well obviously humility. If you think you can make things happen you are going to be in big trouble. Closely related to that is humor. If you take yourself and the whole situation too seriously or too grimly you will depress everybody. Then I think the general principles of professional life kick in. Number one would be honesty. If you lie to yourself, you will lie to others and then the whole thing goes down the tubes. Patience. If you think you can make it happen fast you're going to get yourself in trouble.