Practice Note: Asking Better Questions

This article examines ways that mediators can ask better questions by developing a line of inquiry that facilitates insight through movement within the stages of mediation. Well-designed questions can shift perspectives, promote understanding, off er opportunities, engage participation, and create possibilities. Better questions in mediation are asked with curiosity and emotional detachment, trustworthy, emotionally intelligent, balanced and open, asked with an awareness of learning styles, creative, future focused, and unifying.