STORY FOUNDATIONS
Narrative mediation assumes that everyone exists within what?
A story.
Everyone involved in some way in the conflict.
Who are the characters in a conflict narrative?
Build rapport and establish how the process will work.
What is the main goal of the engagement stage?
Separate the problem from the person.
What does it mean to externalize the problem?
Parties begin constructing a new shared narrative.
What happens in coauthoring?
The broader worldview—rules, morals, biases, and experiences- shapes how someone interprets conflict.
What is the meta-narrative?
The concrete issue at the center of the conflict.
What is the “subject” of the conflict narrative?
Their version of the narrative.
During engagement, what do parties first share?
Invitations in a story that position others in a certain role.
What are position calls (boxes)?
Moments that contradict the conflict-saturated story.
What are “unique outcomes”?
The story of the conflict told from each person’s point of view, including what caused it and who is responsible.
What is the conflict narrative?
The feelings, thoughts, background, and environment surrounding the conflict.
What is context in a conflict narrative?
It signals positioning, trust levels, and relational dynamics.
Why must mediators attend to non-verbal behavior early?
Open space for reconsideration and repositioning.
What is dialogical questioning designed to do?
Scenario:
A couple says, “We haven’t had a calm conversation in years.”
What question helps find a unique outcome?
“Was there ever a time—even briefly—when a conversation felt different?”
The story of the ideal or preferred future and how the conflict might be resolved.
What is the alternative narrative?
The way elements combine into a coherent narrative about the conflict.
What is storyline?
Trust has not yet developed; deconstructive work must happen first.
Why shouldn’t mediators push for outcomes too early?
Scenario:
“She’s manipulative.”
Provide a deconstructive question.
“When did you first begin to experience her actions as manipulative?”
Provide a deconstructive question.
Scenario:
A team member says, “I just want respect.”
Alternative narrative (preferred future).
Is this conflict narrative or alternative narrative?
Differences in interpretation and perception.
When two narratives interact, what becomes possible?
A student says, “This always happens. Professors never respect working students.”
Which narrative element is most dominant here?
Scenario:
A mediator immediately asks: “So what compromise are you willing to make?”
Skipping deconstruction and rushing negotiation.
What stage error is occurring?
Scenario:
“He’s the victim. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Victim-perpetrator binary and fixed positioning
What assumption is embedded?
Mini Case:
Alex: “Jordan never includes me in decisions. He thinks I’m incompetent.”
Jordan: “Alex is overly sensitive and slows everything down.”
Task for Teams (5 minutes):
Identify one position call.
Externalize the problem.
Ask one deconstructive question.
Propose one opening to an alternative narrative.
Then each team presents