Agreement and Closure
Once two parties have undergone mediation, it is now possible for them to reach an agreement and achieve closure. Reaching an agreement does not necessarily mean parties have achieved a closure. Moreover, competition and compromise may coexist depending on the circumstances.
Part of the conflict resolution process is making an agreement that includes plans in case future disputes arise (Moore, 2015). The agreement stage also involves explicitly evaluating the options that have been developed and whether these meet the parties’ expectations (Moore, 2015). They will then have to decide whether they would either reach a final agreement or decide to stop the negotiation (Moore, 2015). Once the agreement is mutual, parties may decide to reach a closure. This involves the execution of the agreement and monitoring the status of its implementation.
An agreement does not guarantee a closure. There are some parties who are unable to execute their agreement, thus, not reaching closure. Closure can only be possible only if there is an implementation. Moreover, it is the psychological dimension which distinguishes a closure from an agreement. Parties should feel “emotional satisfaction and degree of comfort” (p. 459) and be able to create “conditions for more positive future interactions” (Moore, 2015). Thus, it is essential for parties to reach both stages to ensure the fullness of the dispute resolution.
As reiterated at the onset of the paper, competition and compromise may co-exist, depending on the circumstance. Presh Talwalkar mentions that when asked to do the arm wrestle, some participants would not view it as mere competition but to cooperate and achieve the same goals with their opponents (How Would You Play This Game, 2013). This shows that individuals have different motivations toward competition.
Compromise should be built on principles for success (Mayer, 2015). In fact, competition may be used to encourage compromise. How so? Businesses, for instance, may compromise with their rivals to achieve a win-win situation. As long as an agreement does not interfere with their goals or principles, businesses may give in to their rivals’ requests. That is the reason why we sometimes see business competitors working together in the same project.
This paper has shown that agreement and closure are distinct and that competition and compromise may coexist.
References
Mayer, B. S. (2015). The conflict paradox: seven dilemmas at the core of disputes. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass, a Wiley Brand.
Moore, C. W. (2014). The mediation process: practical strategies for resolving conflict. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass.
Talwalkar, P. (2013, January 01). How would you play this game? A lesson in competition and cooperation. Retrieved May 29, 2017, from …
