Merging Ethiopian Wise-Counsel Mediation and Facilitative ...

Step 3: In the second round, the storyteller tells another story ("Something that made me angry"). Now it is the taskof the listener to listen in a very concentrated but neutral manner in the sense that he/she does not show anyreaction. Again he/she is not allowed to use words and should not show any emotion at all. The observer again noteshis/her observations.2Step 4: In the last round,—while the storyteller retells the first or second story,—the listener should show interest andlisten actively. He/she again has to use body language such as gestures and nodding to actively support the storytellerin a nonverbal way. Again the observer notes down his/her observations.Step 5: Evaluate the groups' experiences. First, let the observers present their observations and note them down ona flipchart. Second, note the storytellers' feelings on the flipchart; do the same with the listeners' feelings during theprocess.Step 6: Discuss the lessons learned for a mediator and note them down. Finally, summarise the lessons learned fromthis exercise.When the listener does not show any emotion or clearly appears to be bored, the communication will likely stop veryquickly, or the storyteller will look around for another person who might listen and reward him/her with the expectedapproval.Communication consists of verbal and nonverbal elements and listening. All are important in a mediationprocess and therefore the right way of communicating and listening are important basic skills for mediators. Asthey have an impact on the success of mediation, the following chapter focuses on the core skills of mediatorsand where they will be needed.348 Mediation Trainer’s Manual