An Active, Not Passive, Role
Traditional mediation often emphasizes a hands-off approach. Mediators are trained to remain strictly neutral, minimize intervention, and avoid influencing direction—sometimes to the point where sessions stall or parties leave without progress.
SDR takes a different approach.
SDR mediators take an active, accountable role in guiding disputes toward resolution. They manage the process intentionally, help maintain momentum, and intervene when discussions become unproductive, imbalanced, or stuck. Their responsibility is not merely to facilitate conversation, but to move the dispute forward.
This includes:
- Structuring discussions to maximize clarity and progress
- Redirecting unproductive or adversarial behavior
- Helping parties articulate interests, not just positions
- Identifying areas of agreement and narrowing disputes
- Keeping the focus on resolution rather than blame
Mutuality Over Neutrality
SDR mediators reject the idea that neutrality means detachment.
Rather than being indifferent to outcomes, SDR mediators operate under the principle of mutuality. This means they are committed to helping both parties reach an outcome they can live with—one that feels fair, workable, and stable.
Mutuality does not mean taking sides or favoring one party over another. It means:
- Being equally invested in both parties’ satisfaction
- Actively addressing power imbalances
- Ensuring each participant is heard, understood, and respected
- Guiding the process toward solutions that benefit all involved
In practice, mutuality creates trust. Parties are more willing to engage honestly when they feel the mediator is invested in their success—not just the process itself.
Working With Parties Together and Separately
SDR mediators use a flexible approach to engagement. Depending on the dispute, they may work with parties together, separately, or in a combination of both.
Private sessions allow mediators to:
- Explore underlying concerns or constraints
- Clarify priorities and interests
- Address emotional or strategic barriers to agreement
- Help parties evaluate options realistically
Joint sessions are used to:
- Build understanding and alignment
- Test proposed solutions
- Resolve misunderstandings
- Finalize agreements collaboratively
This adaptive structure allows mediators to guide the dispute strategically while maintaining transparency and fairness.
Addressing Power Imbalances
Many disputes involve unequal bargaining power—whether due to financial resources, experience, confidence, or communication style. Traditional mediation often leaves these imbalances unaddressed, resulting in outcomes that feel coerced or unstable.
SDR mediators are trained to recognize and actively manage power dynamics. This may involve:
- Adjusting the structure or pacing of discussions
- Ensuring equal participation and understanding
- Reframing issues to prevent intimidation or dominance
- Slowing the process when needed to protect fairness
The goal is not artificial equality, but meaningful participation by all parties.
Outcome Ownership and Accountability
SDR mediators do not impose decisions—but they also do not abdicate responsibility for outcomes.
They take ownership of:
- Guiding the dispute toward resolution
- Maintaining progress and momentum
- Helping parties reach durable agreements
- Ensuring clarity around commitments and next steps
If resolution is not immediately achievable, mediators help narrow issues, identify next steps, or clarify what is preventing agreement—so the process still delivers value.
Human Judgment at the Core
Technology plays a supporting role in SDR, but human judgment remains central. Mediators interpret nuance, emotion, context, and unspoken concerns—things no algorithm can fully capture.
By combining experience, structure, and the SMART Method, SDR mediators deliver a process that is not only more efficient, but more humane, more effective, and more likely to produce lasting resolution.