Many organisations have started implementing mediation schemes and indeed my firm does a fair bit of consultancy of this.
It is all very well deciding to implement a mediation scheme but what are the key attributes of a successful internal mediator?
After all you need good mediators to help administer the scheme.
Is it intelligence, position of hieracrchy in the firm, robustness under pressure?
I believe that there are the following key attributes and they do differ from what an external mediatior should possess.
I think the most important attribute is the ability to convey integrity. This is integrity as such, but the ability to project that to a wider audience be that high or low down in the organisation.
Other attributes should the mediator have: Calmness under pressure, pragmatism but optimistic, intelligence helps but is certainly no panacea.
No, I am pretty sure that integrity particularly for the internal mediator is what counts the most.
Justin Patten, Employment Conflict Resolution Consultant.