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  • 1.  A Mediator's mind map challenge

    Gold Member
    Posted 29-04-2021 06:07 PM
    Edited by David Mitchell 12-05-2021 01:03 PM
      |   view attached

    Reflecting on a few recent court-referred mediations where-in one or both mediatees stopped negotiating/communicating and cried "See you in Court", I started doodling a mind map of what had happened. Not everything on my mind map occurred in every  mediation but it reminded me a lot of things can go wrong in a mediation..  

    The challenge is to 'read the mind map and ponder' :

    From my experience, what can I add to this map (hence the blank ovals);

    What can I add to my knowledge bank/repertoire for my next mediations

    Where could I have changed direction and how (Head-banging is not an option!)

    What stories can I add, what tacit knowledge can I share with other readers (members of this community of practice).

    David Mitchell

    Map created easily with

    ClickCharts Diagram & Flowchart Software Pro Edition



    Reflective Practice fits with the learning needs, professionalism and outcomes of mediators. It helps deal with rapid changes, unexpected events, disorder, mis-assumptions, challenging emotions and situations and the professional isolation of many mediators, especially those working as solo practitioners. ​

    Doodling can easily become part of reflective practice by slowly turning into a mind map. Remembering, revisiting, recollecting a journey through the pre-mediation encounters (reflection before) and through a mediation can form the thought bubbles that connect or diverge into separate themes (reflection after). This forms a powerful learning experience.

    Read more on reflection from the article published in Resolution Institute's July 2020 Pulse e-zine at
    reflective practice in mediators

    Buzan , the developer of mind mapping proscribed 10 rules :

    1. Place an image or topic in the centre using at least 3 colours
      Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your Mind Map.
      3. Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
      4. Each word/image is alone and sitting on its own line.
      5. Connect the lines starting from the central image. The central lines are thicker,
      organic and flowing, becoming thinner as they radiate out from the centre.
      6. Make the lines the same length as the word/image.
      7. Use colours—your own code—throughout the Mind Map.
      8. Develop your own personal style of Mind Mapping.
      9. Use emphasis and show associations in your Mind Map.
      10. Keep the Mind Map clear by using radial hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to embrace your branches.

    For me, simple doodling using any pen that came to hand , is enough. I can remember attending a seminar run by one of Buzan’s trainees whereby 24 different coloured pens were used. Too much for me.

    However, taking the “See you in Court” map 3-4 colours would suffice: Fig.2.

    Fig.2.

    Fig.2. 4 colour mind map.

     

    This form of mind-mapping is called “association ” learning and memory storage. Research had found that a human can only process 4-7 items at any one time (think multitasking 4-7 things at once). By creating a mind map of multiple associated (logically connected knowledge, thoughts, ideas, beliefs, etc.) this cluster becomes one unit or item (not 10 or 20 or 30 separate items) available from short time or long term memory, at an instant’s notice. Perfect for a mediator deliberating or reflecting- in-action within a mediation.

    The hippocampus and neo-cortex respond to interest/focus, visual imputs (e.g. colour, symbols, pictures, faces and maps) and words/sounds . The greater the interest, curiosity or need to learn and the greater the visual and aural concept,s  the more the collected pieces of information are bundled together by the hippocampus and stored as an item for recall from  short-term then, later, long term memory.

    Breakdown of actions of Hippocampus in mind mapping:

    Hippocampus and surrounding areas of the brain, receive signals from

    • Space/orientation of our self and the surroundings: “I am in a room, sitting, drawing”
    • Objects: visual inputs: surroundings, a picture or graphic or map or representation:
      “ I see a page containing squiggles, arrows, circles-squares-rectangles that are interconnected.” “Inside these objects I see letters and words
    • Colour: “I see clusters of different colours
    • Sounds: “I hear me sounding words
    • Corrections, insertions and deletions: ”I am adding/subtracting/ changing the picture-map”
    • Context: “I am creating a mind map of a mediation issue”
    • Memory :” I am storing this concept in ‘working memory’(short term memory) to help me make a decision or an analysis of a current concept. I can choose to upgrade it to long term memory”

      see Pulse article containing info on hippocampus  or my website at  https://www.mitchellmediate.com.au/post/the-mediator-s-survival-kit-a-guide-to-living-life-better-for-longer .


    ​#Mediation
    ​#Mediation & Mind maps​


    ------------------------------
    David Mitchell
    Director
    Mitchell Mediate
    Clarence Park SA
    418898039
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: A Mediator's mind map challenge
    Best Answer

    Gold Member
    Posted 02-05-2021 04:37 PM
    Edited by David Mitchell 12-05-2021 01:08 PM
    Hi all this posting will be updated  weekly. Two new updates already added and more to come. Watch the topic evolve.
    David Mitchell.

    ------------------------------
    David Mitchell
    Director
    Mitchell Mediate
    Clarence Park SA
    418898039
    ------------------------------



  • 3.  RE: A Mediator's mind map challenge

    I'mLinkedIn
    Posted 03-05-2021 07:55 AM
      |   view attached
    Nice lateral thinking thanks David

    I came across the attached in various forms several times in the past few weeks which might be of use to people who like the approach you have presented

    Regards, Ed

    ------------------------------
    Ed Skinner
    Director
    Actualiser P/L
    Teneriffe QLD
    411660446
    ------------------------------



  • 4.  RE: A Mediator's mind map challenge

    Gold Member
    Posted 03-05-2021 03:02 PM
    Thanks Ed: awesome visual presentation with video back-up validation.
    David

    ------------------------------
    David Mitchell
    Director
    Mitchell Mediate
    Clarence Park SA
    418898039
    ------------------------------