EN · C2 · LEARN

Mediating high-stakes disagreement

Understand each item before testing yourself. Choose honestly whether it already feels familiar or needs practice.

1 of 5Expression

Could we distinguish the impact from the intent?

Reduce blame without denying harm.

Example

Before we respond to the allegation, could we distinguish the impact of the decision from what either team intended?

Mediate a consequential disagreement by separating impact from intent, preserving face, and converting accusations into negotiable concerns.

Could we distinguish the impact from the intent?
Expression
Reduce blame without denying harm.
Before we respond to the allegation, could we distinguish the impact of the decision from what either team intended?
I can accept that account while still…
Expression
Validate experience without conceding every conclusion.
I can accept that account. Our concern is that reopening every decision now would create a different kind of unfairness.
The underlying concern appears to be…
Expression
Translate an accusation into an interest.
The underlying concern appears to be…
What would address that concern without…?
Expression
Invite a proportionate remedy with a boundary.
What would address that concern without…?
The negotiable question is…
Expression
Define the issue the parties can actually decide.
Then the negotiable question is which decisions require review and which can stand with a revised process for next time.