Open Forum

Hi Matthew
Your comments are "music to my ears".
There is too much focus/emphasis in communication today. It is the non-verbal communication (estimated to be over 70% of any conversation/discourse) that makes the difference. It starts with you. As a mediator, your initial (and continuing) persona/charisma/vibes creates trust and acceptance, wisdom and confidence in the mediatees. Your acquired and tacit knowledge , and , Matthew, in your case , your musical experience and skills, gives your a special advantage : the flow of sound within a discourse (in mediation this is a three-way effect ) is where you as a "conductor" can subtly, positively and compassionately  influence. In turn this is where body language can faithfully follow the verbal melody or reveal hidden dissonance which is the area my next 5 articles explore.
These articles address the sociological and psychological skills that can be easily learnt at a mediator's level . They allow an understanding, an interpretation and a methodology of interaction with the mediatees, not a psycho-analytical treatment program.
treatment  Each article is written around a chosen musical piece and associated with  commonly useful theories.
NLP
TA
Emotional intelligence
narrative
Compassion

Hi David. Thanks for your very insightful and stimulating Part 1 piece. Since becoming a mediator I've often reflected on how my unconscious experiences as a former professional classical musician affect the way I mediate - be it reacting to changes in pitch, volume, tempo and an urge to end (if possible) on an appropriate resolution (the tonic chord). I can't wait to read the following parts. Matthew Clayton (Christchurch NZ)