Thursday, February 16, 2012
Post 1
Communication majors should make good mediators because we take classes that help us learn how to listen and communicate effectively. That's why people call on mediators. They want someone to listen to them and find out what they want and need. Communication majors know how to listen to people and re-state what the person is saying. Most people like to interrupt when others talk and what not but comm majors learn how to sit back and truly listen to what is being said. I think that lawyers might find it difficult to effectively play the role of mediator because they will begin to side with one person more than the other and possibly grant things to one over the other because they like them more. I definitely don't think psychotherapists would be great mediators because they would sit there and analyze every little thing and movement that of the two people fighting.
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Country Girl,
ReplyDeleteI like the distinction you make regarding how Comm majors should make better listeners, therefore better mediators. While its true that lawyers are trained to deal with confllict-type situations, their training reflects the needs of their professions and doesn’t always take into account for the needs of the other person. A lawyer will listen to you, but his/hers ultimate goal is to work-up your side of the story into a convincing argument. True listening involves an active participation in the emotional side, as well as the technical side, of what is being discussed. Comm majors should understand this.... After all, it’s hammered into our heads from our very first day in class! :)
-Ben