Conflict Resolution Lab Report # 3

A lovely learning experience was had by ten local conflict resolution practitioners on June 25, 2026 and we want to share some of the learning with you.

Lab Date: Thursday June 25, 2026
Center Workbench Topic - Collections Mediations
Participants: 10 participants; mediators, coaches, consultants, psychologists
Facilitator: The workbench was led by NMC's Greg Lovato

Next Lab: July 23, 2026 – 4-6 PM at the NMC office in Reno, NV.  https://www.mediatenmc.org/events

Lab Summary: Ten practitioners shared their struggles, tips and lessons learned in an open, real-world lab format to test conflict resolution approaches related to collections mediations.

1. Lab Purpose
We experiment together in a space that’s thoughtful, supportive, and grounded in real practice. Each Lab is a chance to slow down, try new approaches, and learn alongside others who care deeply about conflict resolution work.

2. Topic
Potential challenges mediators face in collections mediations and possible conflict resolution tools and techniques that may be useful to work through these challenges and reach successful resolution.

3. Tools / Techniques Tested
Participants brought their struggles, tips, and lessons learned for discussion with fellow mediators in this workbench focused on collections cases. Role play and open discussion was used to reflect upon the possible challenges conflict resolution facilitators often face in collections mediation, and then the group brainstormed potential conflict resolution tools that could be useful to face these challenges.

4. Key Insights
First, the group collectively shared their thoughts about common challenges in collections mediations, discussing both actual past experiences and hypotheticals after watching a live role play. Some challenges that were introduced by the participants included:

• Power imbalances between parties

• Lack of good faith negotiation from a party

• Information asymmetry and lack of awareness of legal rights

• Difficulty establishing common ground

• Maintaining mediator neutrality

• Mediator loss of process control

• Plaintiff being disorganized or lacking in authority

• Limitations of Zoom communication

Participants then brainstormed about conflict resolution techniques and tools that could be utilized to work through these challenges. Some suggestions included:

• Reality checking

• Revisiting ground rules

• Caucusing when appropriate

• Identifying common interests

• Real-time reflection

• Inviting interim agreements

• Maintaining neutrality and self-management (e.g., "mediator poker face," breathing, body-language awareness)

• Clarifying authority to negotiate and how amounts owed are calculated

• Turning cases over to a judge when mediation should stop

• Additional ideas included potentially asking the court to create legal reference materials and set clearer baseline preparation requirements for parties prior to mediation

Conclusion: 
Greg has set the bar high in this Lab! and introduced the idea of a single topic being the focus. Although the Lab was opened up for other ideas, everyone stayed with the main group to talk about collections. What we found was that the collections topic led to common themes that fit most mediation types/topics. It feels like most everyone walked away with either a new tool, or a refresh on one they already own.

5. What We’d Do Differently Next Lab
Consider using a single topic to launch the Lab, instead of opening up to all ideas on the fly.

End of Lab Report ------------------------------