When Mediation Matters

Can You Afford Conflict?

Conflicts within families, businesses, organizations, and teams of any kind often spiral faster and deeper, robbing everyone of precious resources: time, energy, money, and well-being.

Yes, conflict is a natural part of life.

But sometimes when conflicts cannot be constructively managed between the parties themselves, the mediator serves as the neutral, unbiased third party to facilitate the dialogue through which their differences can be resolved with mutually-satisfying outcomes.

 

The mediation process which is both voluntary and confidential is designed to deliver  excellent outcomes by giving people a quality, self-determined process in which they hold the power to control their interaction as they make informed decisions that best serve all involved parties.  When all parties are skillfully facilitated by the mediator, they manage to de-escalate their dispute and create possibilities and terms of agreement that are meaningful to them.

When mediation matters
When mediation matters

Can You Afford Conflict?

What is the cost of conflict?

Conflict within families, businesses, organizations, and teams of any kind often spirals faster and deeper, robbing everyone of precious resources: time, energy, money, and well-being.

 

Who wouldn’t want to avoid that destructive path, the path of endless confrontation that destroys people’s lives, family bonds, personal friendships, bank accounts, and business relationships? 

Why Mediation?

Mediation in the Workplace has a  success rate of 70-80 % /  95% of participants would use mediation again.  (Gitnux Market Data Report-2024)

When compared with Mediation, the conventional default to  Litigation- courts, lawyers, judges- usually exacts an impossibly high price. 

                                             MEDIATION

 

  • Relationally: Mediation offers the opportunity to listen and to be heard in meaningful ways that translate to satisfying  resolutions. It strives to  uphold people with respect and attention to their interests.
 
  • Time-wise: Mediation is complete within 45 days on average, often taking 1-2 days to complete.
 
  • Financially: Mediation is very cost-effective. For example, mediation for divorce cases costs on average 40-60 % less than litigation.
  • Process: Mediation offers a self-determined process designed to offer a valuable interaction where the parties explore and decide outcomes. Designed to facilitate the quality communication that results in satisfying agreements, mediation expands the possibilities to build a solution that serves the specific  interests of both parties.  
 
 
    
 

                                             LITIGATION

 

  • Relationally: Litigation emotionally depletes the individuals and robs them of the opportunity to repair a fractured relationship. It is also often demeaning to people and dismissive of what is most important to them.
  • Time-wise: Litigation is not designed for your convenience, as the time from beginning until the end is lengthy (18 months). 
  • Financially: The cost for litigation spirals out of control very quickly.  
 
  • Process: Litigation is controlled by others and is fraught with unproductive dialogue that does not get to the heart of the conflict.  Moreover, you are often limited in the court agreements you can design.     

WHY DO I MEDIATE?

WHEN MEDIATION MATTERS delivers a process that leaves our clients richer for the experience.

How does Mediation Work?

Here’s  the brief overview of the process:

Step 1

The parties decide to explore mediating their differences.

Step 2

We arrange for the mediation to begin, scheduling 2-3 hours per session, in person or on Zoom (your preference).

Step 3

The parties sign a non-binding agreement that they are entering mediation.

Step 4

The process begins with the party laying down their ground rules by which they wish to abide.

Step 5

The mediator follows the lead of the parties, facilitating the dialogue using specific methods.

Step 6

The mediator summarizes the agreement.

How do I invite the other party to a Mediation?

Working with Shifra . . .

I enthusiastically recommend Mrs. Shifra Novograd to serve as a mediator who helps people successfully resolve their conflicts

In April 2023, Shifra and I co-mediated a highly delicate mediation process between a couple engaged to be married, but were seriously rethinking their commitment . . .   

 

 

Making this decision was understandably both agonizing and weighty for them, prompting them to reach out to multiple sources of support. Over the course of days, Shifra Novograd took a responsible lead in facilitating a constructive conversation between the couple.

When they no longer wanted to hold a dialogue with each other, Shifra offered caucus meetings to allow each of them to explore difficult issues in a safe and discreet way. 

 

With keen sensitivity and respect for both parties, Shifra adhered to solid mediation principles that served the couple very well. Ensuring that the parties would be heard in an impartial, non-judgmental manner that upheld them, Shifra prompted them along the pathway of clarity and progress. At times, she was tasked with working across the broader support team consisting of family members and mentors– many of whom were divided around the proper course of action. While this put her on the receiving end of ill will directed to her by some on this team, Shifra managed it with particular grace and composure.

 

 

While working with this couple was undoubtedly an exercise in patience and good will, Shifra focused on the transformative (relational) process that assisted them as they worked towards a resolution that was suitable for them. 

 

 

Shifra is highly qualified to serve the diverse mediation needs of others; in fact, she can also be trusted to lead the entire mediation team if/when needed.

 

Rabbi Zimmerman

Senior Advisor, Regesh Network

Lakewood, NJ

 

 

 

 

In my more than two decades of collaborating with Shifra Novograd, I have earned “front-row status” and feel that I may be worthy of writing a recommendation for her many services.

When considering the value she brings to her work, some words come to mind. The words dignity, purpose and elegance are some of the concepts she personifies. The words efficiency, organization and clarity describe some qualities of the work she does. Whether it is her treatment of prose in a writing assignment or her treatment of people during a non-profit’s strategic session, both are done with humility and consideration, with a high-road mindset and deep respect for the contributions of all players. 

 

I personally have been the recipient of her empathy, kindness and insightful wisdom. As a marketing professional and graphic designer, I have seen first-hand her skillful ability to distill complex elements into a seamless, comprehensible whole. Her writing masterfully combines personality and character together with the practical nuts and bolts of clear communication. 

 

Her leadership and management of programs and projects bespeak organization and clarity of priorities. She certainly has boxes on her “to-do” list that need to be checked off, but she deftly does so without coming across as pressured or impatient. With a very sensible and level-headed approach, she chooses when to delegate, when to follow up, when to seek others’ input and when to make key decisions. In short, a great person to have on your team.

 

 

 

Michael Friedman

Graphic Designer & Marketing Strategist, Sosgona Marketing Design

 

 

 

 

As  a Mediator with 25 years of experience specializing in child custody, I have had the opportunity to work with Shifra in the Baltimore City Circuit Court (Family Mediation Program).

Many choose to be mediators because it’s a good job, and they’re happy to take people through the mediation process. 
 
Then there are a few people like Shifra who become mediators as part of their mission to make the world a better place by empowering people to handle the challenges of conflict. As opposed to just taking people through the process, she has the skills to assist people in benefiting from the process and providing opportunities for growth and enrichment.
 
Barry Evans, Mediator

In May 2022, I closely observed Shifra Novograd as we co-mediated a highly delicate, in-person mediation process between a couple whose relationship was in serious disrepair for a number of years….

I was impressed with how Shifra facilitated a most constructive dialogue, with sensitivity and respect for both parties. Laying down the groundwork for each of them to hear each other and to be heard, she took the lead in creating a safe and trusting space that upheld both parties in an impartial, non-judgmental manner. With this masterful process, Shifra served the couple very well as she prompted them in working towards a mutually satisfying resolution that included a critical financial agreement which had proved elusive until that point. 


While working with this couple was unusually challenging, Shifra focused on the transformative process that evoked the best in both parties. Given her expertise in mediating conflict with warmth and wisdom, I expect Shifra to be a most effective practitioner for countless people needing to resolve their conflicts.



Rabbi Mordecai Tendler

Rabbinical Director,  New Hempstead Congregation

New Hempstead, NY




SCHEDULE your 15-minute CALL  to explore  how mediation will serve to 

end the conflict you are facing. 

 

Isn’t it time?