Patience as a Mediator

So often, it's tempting to want to jump in as a mediator, with a potential solution for clients. But, as a facilitative practitioner, it's sort of besides the point. Facilitative mediation allows the parties to drive the process, not the mediator. One of the reasons I feel so passionately about mediation is that, unlike a traditional legal setting (i.e. court), the clients are allowed and encouraged to build their own solution. The outcome is entirely in their hands, though the mediator can certainly offer guidance. It's a beautiful thing, really.