Mag.ª iur. Barbara Nanoff-Schediwy, MA
Mediation, Facilitation, Teambuilding
As a certified mediator I am convinced of the positive power of talking things over. In some specific cases it is only possible for talking to restart if a professional third party is involved. I offer mediation, teambuilding measures, facilitation, workshops on conflict management or seminars on various areas of communication.
Mediations take place at your company location, NGO or association offices. Alternatively you are welcome to my offices in 1170 Vienna, Heuberggasse 64 (including accessibility to disabled individuals).
Specialities
- Mediation also offered in English, or other languages with the support of an interpretor
- Mediation also offered in English, or other languages with the support of a interpretor
- Special account taken of inter-cultural aspects of conflicts
- Focus on gender-specific themes (importance of the roles of the sexes in a conflict)
- Trainer for mediators (formerly amongst others at Trinergy International)
- Workplace Mediator, specifically for international organisations and institutions
- Conflicts in non-profit organizations and in the arts
Qualifications and professional history
since 2003
Owner of Nanoff-Mediation, State-registered mediator (Ministry of Justice), freelance trainer
2003
Mediation Certificate of the Wirtschaftsförderungsinstitut WIFI Vienna
NLP – Master Practioner (Trinergy International 2003)
1998–1999
Management of a rural credit project for women in Zimbabwe organized by CARE International in cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs
1993–2001
Eight years of project management for an international organization (CARE International) in the field of development collaboration/small enterprise development with extensive travel and periods of work in eastern and southern Africa
1981–1993
Freelance violinist and actress in Austria and abroad (Turkey, Japan, Korea)
1992–1993
Implementation of a refugee integration programme in Austria for CARITAS Vienna in cooperation with the Austrian Ministry of the Interior
1992
M.A. in Gender and Development at the University of East Anglia, Norwich, England (1992), special focus on the role of the sexes in the process of development
1989
Degree in Law, University of Vienna (1989)
1979–1986
Musical studies, Vienna Conservatory / Konservatorium der Stadt Wien
Background and Experience
Stemming from a bi-national family myself (austro-american), I have developed a good sense for the intercultural issues that can form a relationship, arising not only from nationality, but also from more refined cultural concepts (social and professional background etc).
The fact that I have experience of a variety of cultures of countries and continents – in addition to Austria, England, the United States, France, Turkey, and Africa – gives an extra dimension to my work. My close familiarity with these cultures gives me additional sensitivity to issues arising in the context of other cultures.
Similarly, broad experience in a wide variety of different fields of human activity (artistic, social work, business) makes me an adaptable mediator, capable of taking a new and very individual approach to all of my clients. It is a priority for me to see that all those involved in my mediations benefit from the variety of my own experience.
My own studies and career have led to my developing a particular focus on
Mediative behaviour as a crucial competence
It was when working as a project manager in the field of social work that I first realized how much the success of a project depends on communication amongst those involved. As a result I engaged in an intensive study of communication and personality development.
It has often been a source of personal distress to me to find human suffering being caused by people failing to talk purely because they don’t know how to go about it properly.
So many opportunities for reconciliation and rapprochement are missed because the parties are afraid of conflict. Typically, they think that facing up to conflicts is necessarily painful or bound to end in a ‘catastrophe’. Or they let themselves be over-governed by their emotions and act in a destructive manner. Again and again, opportunities to talk things over are wasted.
I am convinced that in our time – for all of us – mediative behaviour is of central importance. When we are faced by challenging situations, it helps to be aware of certain basic rules and to put them into practice, at first under supervision and then on one’s own. In my experience, this can lead to a feeling of great relief on the part of those concerned in the conflict.
In some specific cases it is only possible for talking to restart if a professional third party is involved.
When they take place under these new conditions, these talks and encounters can be very enriching – for the parties involved in the conflict but also for myself as mediator.
As time passes, this knowledge and experience of fruitful communication engenders a whole attitude and transforms our relationships for the better.
Information on mediation and its phases
Mediation is a procedure for solving conflicts and is governed by clearly defined rules.
The mediator offers professional support in order to facilitate fair and durable solutions acceptable to all parties. Mediation is oriented towards the future and towards solutions. The goal of the mediation process is a win-win scenario, i.e., both or all parties are to come out as winners. Participation in mediation is voluntary and undertaken on the client’s own responsibility.
Mediation is possible at any time, even when legal proceedings have begun. Mediation is an extrajudicial procedure and suspends legal periods of notice (§ 22 ZivMediatG). Mediation generally saves time and money (especially in comparison with legal proceedings).
The explanations below are intended as general guidelines. The process of mediation can vary from case to case, however. The phases described below do not necessarily concur with the actual sessions: one session can deal with more than one phase or it can take more than one session to deal with one phase.
Preliminary talks (one-to-one, if necessary)
- Identification of issues and formulation of basic negotiating rules; conclusion of a mediation agreement.
- Presentation of the positions and points of view of all parties
- Analysis of underlying interests; search for common ground
- Brainstorming for options and solutions
- Point-by-point protocol; final document of agreement
Some time later, a meeting should be held to monitor the observation and good functioning of the agreement, which can be amended (within legal limits).
What we see is not what we see, but what we are
Fernando Pessoa, The Book of DisquietDefinition of mediation as distinguished from therapy and legal advice
Mediation cannot replace, but rather complement therapy.
The mediator’s impartiality prohibits him or her from providing legal advice to the individual parties (§16 ZivMediatG), who usually seek legal advice on their own. A mediation protocol/report, i.e., a written agreement, can and should be checked by the parties’ legal advisors before it is signed.
The role of the mediator
Impartiality
The mediator gives equal consideration to all parties and their concerns.
Confidentiality
The mediator is obliged to keep all information stemming from the mediation process confidential (§18 ZivMediatG).
Guiding the process
The mediator constantly offers possible next steps towards resolution of the conflict. Like the parties, she is at any time free to interrupt the mediation process if one of its pre-conditions has ceased to exist (e.g. voluntary participation).
Constant balance
The mediator takes care to ensure a constant balance in the process between essentials (‘hardware’) and spontaneous developments (‘software’). Step by step, the conflict is analysed and worked through.
Emotional security
In order to minimize emotional setbacks and maximize productive communication, the mediator acts as a referee for the basic rules agreed upon by the parties. If the basic rules are not observed, she is entitled to interrupt the process. She strives to ensure an atmosphere conducive to finding an agreement.
Record-keeping
The mediator keeps a constant record of each session’s most important results and helps in the drawing up of a final report or agreement.
Interests
The mediator keeps a constant record of each session’s most important results and helps in the drawing up of a final report or agreement.
