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Module 5: Mediation Preparation and Negotiation Bot Practice
Joshua F. Allen
College of Business, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
OBLD 310: Mediation, Negotiation, and Conflict Resolution
Carey Hansard
July 2nd, 2025
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Module 5: Mediation Preparation and Negotiation Bot Practice
One key insight I’ve gained about integrating mediation and negotiation strategies is
the importance of using active listening and reframing to fully understand each party’s
interests and concerns. These techniques ultimately helped me facilitate a resolution that
was mutually acceptable to every party present during my second interaction with the
Negotiation Bot. In the first scenario, I mistakenly neglected to consider the Bot’s position,
which led to missed opportunities for reaching a balanced and fair agreement. However, by
applying active listening and reframing in the second session, I was able to better
understand the Bot's perspective and steer the conversation toward a common goal.
I employed two main mediator communication tactics, summarizing and active
listening, in different scenarios. Summarizing helped me clarify the key points raised by
each party, making it easier to identify both shared interests and disagreements. Active
listening, in particular, proved most beneficial in the second scenario. This was beneficial
as it allowed me to create a supportive environment where each party’s goals and
challenges could be clearly articulated, ultimately guiding the negotiation toward a
potential solution.
These tools significantly strengthened my mediation and negotiation abilities. They
enabled me to break down complex scenarios into manageable components, which
facilitated deeper analysis. This was especially evident in my work with the BATNA
Worksheet, where I explored various possible outcomes and identified critical factors to
consider before forming a solid agreement. By learning to compartmentalize information
into sequenced events that potentially lead to different outcomes is important for creating
perspectives, as it allows one to consider all influential factors before reaching an
underlying agreement.
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The Negotiation Bot played a crucial role in identifying my missteps and offering
constructive feedback. It not only highlighted areas for improvement but also suggested
actionable steps I could take in future negotiations to reach fair and effective resolutions.
This type of real-time feedback was incredibly valuable in enhancing my learning process,
since it provided me with the information needed to improve my negotiation performance.
Scenario two demonstrated this shift from a direct and emotionless approach to a deeper
and more constructive structure, which was crucial to building rapport for effective
decision-making.
Overall, the Negotiation Bot proved to be an essential tool for applying theoretical
concepts in a practical setting. It allowed me to integrate communication techniques like
active listening and reframing while navigating realistic scenarios demonstrated in business
and military-related contexts. These experiences demonstrated how various mediation
approaches, such as facilitative and evaluative mediation, can be applied effectively in
complex, real-world situations.