Don’t become a mediator because you are too old, tired, or sick to do your current job. Being an effective mediator can mean very long days of running at 100%, and being so present that your energy could power a small city. It is often only your conviction that persuades everyone that there is hope, and that a resolution is possible.
A gathering of mediators is a gathering of happy people who don’t follow rules and who love process. Go to a convention of mediators and see if that appeals to you.
Remember you can’t force anyone to do anything. You always need to convince them why any action makes sense for them.
There is no one right way to mediate. Learn from every theory of mediation. There is no school of mediation that has nothing to teach you.
Make sure everyone is eating regularly during a mediation. Especially you.
Always remain humble. You don’t know everything, and the parties are not going to tell you everything.
Figure out people by their actions. And don’t ignore their words.
