What is the difference between mediation and negotiation?

Mediation and negotiation are two similar, but distinct ways of resolving a dispute. Negotiation is when two parties directly communicate their positions or interests to one another with the aim of reaching an agreement. Negotiation often involves give-and-take, where each party makes certain concessions to reach a compromise. In contrast, mediation is a type of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) used by the legal system in Wisconsin to resolve conflicts between two parties. Mediation is conducted by a neutral third-party mediator who helps facilitate communication, identify issues, and help the parties reach an agreement. The mediator is not there to judge or decide who is right or wrong, but to help the parties reach an agreement they both can accept. Unlike negotiation, the mediator does not make any decisions for the parties and will instead provide non-judgmental guidance to help the parties work through their differences. In addition, the parties in mediation must be willing to compromise and are usually expected to work together to come up with a solution that everyone can agree on. The main difference between mediation and negotiation is that, in mediation, an impartial third-party mediator is present to help facilitate the conversation and help the parties come to an agreement. Therefore, mediation is often seen as a more effective and efficient way to resolve disputes than negotiation.

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What is the difference between mediation and negotiation?

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