How to Mediate Like a Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes

Mary Greenwood
iUniverse (2008)
ISBN 9780595469628
Reviewed by Cherie Fisher for Reader Views (3/08)


Author Mary Greenwood does it again with “How to Mediate Like a Pro: 42 Rules for Mediating Disputes.”   This follows her book “How to Negotiate Like a Pro,” which has now won six awards and this new one is just as impressive.  It is a great book for anyone who works in mediation, is thinking about becoming a mediator or to use in a classroom when training mediators.  The advice is simple, straight-to-the-point and effective. 

There are only 55 pages in this book, but they are full of valuable information on mediation.  My only experience with mediation was with my divorce and, after reading this book, I realized that the mediator was following a process.  The mediator helped us make a very painful process short, effective and less expensive.  

The author starts the book by defining what mediation is.  Then she compares the differences between a negotiation and mediation.  In chapter two she explains the role of the mediator and begins the 42 rules of mediation.  The 42 rules include:  setting ground rules, not showing emotion, letting the parties tell their story, being neutral and not having any bias, not letting the parties get bogged down, being the devil’s advocate and follow up.  There are many other rules besides what I mentioned and they cover the topic from A-Z.    

Following the chapters are several appendices with mediator’s opening statement, glossary terms, what makes a good mediator and resources.   They are great references that are set up to be easily referred to.  The resources also include what is available in every state. 

I thought that this is a great book, straight-to-the-point and simple.  I definitely walked away with good knowledge about what a mediator is supposed to do.  I highly recommend “How to Mediate Like a Pro” for anyone who is a mediator or thinking about becoming a mediator. 

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