Preparing your client for the mediation - diagnosing impasses.

When preparing for a mediation a short time spent on looking at the interests and blocks on both sides can help clients to understand how they can best answer the inevitable questions. Assessing and exploring what the other side's needs might be and identifying potential blocks arising from those needs can be a useful prod for creative solutions and for developing a wider range of options. Acknowledgment during the mediation that time has been spent on looking openly at their position, needs and interests conveys an open mind, not weakness.