Culture Change Mediation Services: Transforming conflict into connection
I offer mediation sessions for pairs or small groups centered around the unconscious role that race, class, power, and privilege play in conflict, using mindfulness and a trauma-informed approach combined with coaching methods in order to support a deeper human connection. If you want to get right to it, let’s have an introductory chat about your needs. Or, keep reading!
When we are in harmony, we appreciate and like most things about another person; however, when we run into a bump, whether it is small or large, we may start relying on old messages that are part of the dominant culture narrative we’ve internalized. These messages are often located in unconscious biases. When we are in conflict with another person in our personal or professional life, it is rarely about just one incident or moment of disconnect. We can easily chalk the disconnect up to miscommunication or different communication styles or clashing personalities; however, while miscommunication is happening, there are other factors at play as well.
Our racialized location, power, class, and privilege all play a role in fueling disconnection with others. We may not notice when a thought pops into our heads about stereotyping the other person, whether it is a common trope about the dominant or non-dominant culture. It takes intentional unpacking of our location in regard to race, power, and privilege to identify what aspects of those are at play in the given situation.
Gaining awareness of how systems and structures affect how we interact can help us identify the outcome we want in a given situation. The journey we take towards that awareness of how we are situated within our race, power, class and privilege may affect the outcome we seek. This investment in self-awareness gives us a wider view of how we have internalized and normalized dominant culture practices and how this affects our relationship with others, while offering tools for transforming conflict into connection.
Using this awareness of race, power, and privilege in a mediation space, while also being mindful and trauma-informed, can allow all individuals involved to understand what we bring to the table of disconnection and how we need to repair the disconnect. Most importantly, we learn about ourselves and are able to minimize future conflicts with others.
I am a trained coach and skilled mediator with many years of navigating conflicts, and difficult conversations about race, power, and privilege. My mindfulness practice allows me to listen deeply without judgment. I am skilled at framing questions so that you are able to access, from your own experience, what you need to shed light on a given situation. I hold space that is committed to respecting all involved and addressing access needs. Trust building is essential to the process. Regardless of your racialized identity, power, and privileged location, you will be held with respect and caring. I will share tools and resources to support you through the process of mediation.
If you find that you are navigating a personal or professional conflict and need external support, reach out and book an intro session now. I will bring a set of agreements for us to work within, help you clarify, set, and communicate your intention, and create a container of trust and respect so that all involved can move past barriers to growth for yourselves and the community in which you want to thrive.
