Cross-Border Mediation Journey

A few months ago, I attended a mediation program with SMU (Singapore Management University), continuing my studies after completing the Harvard Mediation course last year.

Finally, the certificate arrived — a small moment, perhaps, but one that carries deep meaning for me.

Mediation has become an important extension of the work I’ve been doing for years.

I often introduce myself as a facilitator, instructor, Scrum Master, Agile Coach, Change and Transformation Consultant — and now, a mediator.

On the surface, these roles may look unrelated. Some may even wonder how they fit together.

For me, they are deeply connected.

Each role sits at the intersection of human dynamics — how people communicate, navigate conflict, make decisions, and move through change.

Whether I’m facilitating a workshop, coaching a team, guiding an organization through transformation, or mediating a difficult conversation, the core of the work is the same:

creating space for understanding, clarity, and forward movement.

This reflection isn’t written to justify my choices or defend a professional identity. It’s simply an honest sharing of how these paths have converged — and how much this work matters to me as part of becoming a more grounded, capable, and humane practitioner.

Mediation, in particular, has deepened my appreciation for listening beyond words, holding complexity without rushing to resolution, and honoring multiple truths in the same room. It has shaped not only how I work with others, but how I show up as a human being.

And that, ultimately, is what this journey is about.

What Mediation Is?

"When negotiators can’t come to an agreement but want to avoid an expensive, time-consuming, and potentially rancorous lawsuit, mediation is often their most logical choice.

Using mediation skills as a leader rather than imposing a decision, a trained mediator applies communication skills, objectivity, and creativity to help disputants reach their own voluntary solution to the conflict."

(Ref: Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School)

---

There are several types of mediators, and there is no right or wrong in which one you choose to become.

In my case, facilitative mediation resonates most with my day-to-day work.

In this approach, I facilitate dialogue between parties in conflict without offering recommendations or imposing decisions. This requires a high level of self-awareness and neutrality. It helps me practice being non-judgmental, grounded, and deeply present, while continuously strengthening my active listening skills.

As human beings, we all carry bias — cognitive bias. We have experiences, knowledge, and beliefs, so it is natural that we form opinions, take sides, and judge.

This is precisely what I am learning to notice and gently step away from.

As I continue becoming a coach, this is what I wish to consciously withdraw from and leave behind.

How It Helps Me?

Alongside the Nonviolent Communication training I completed earlier this year, mediation has significantly deepened my active listening and communication skills.

I also learn through each case I mediate — from business situations to human dynamics. Each case feels like watching a real-life film unfold. You witness stories, perspectives, and realities that you would rarely encounter in your daily life or within a single industry.

This experience doesn’t only broaden my understanding of different contexts and scenarios; it also brings me closer to myself — especially to my own thoughts and inner reactions. With every case, I practice withdrawing myself a little more from the situation, creating space to observe rather than engage, to listen rather than interpret. This shift has had a significant impact on my daily life, particularly on how I show up in coaching.

In coaching, the focus is not on judging or analyzing. You listen, and you ask reflective questions. The work belongs to the client.

In mediation, it is similar. I facilitate the conversation between two parties and create space for them to speak, listen, and find their own way forward.

What's Next

There are still two more modules I need to complete before becoming a cross-border mediator in Singapore. It’s a long journey — one that continues alongside my coaching path — and I’m genuinely looking forward to further deepening my communication skills.

Will I make a living from this?

Many mediators know that mediation is not a path chosen for financial gain. For me, this work comes from passion — something I wish to do for myself and for others.

In my day-to-day life, I already find myself resolving conflict — within myself, in the workplace, and in conversations that matter. Perhaps one day, this practice will extend to a larger scale. Who knows — maybe across organizations, communities, or even beyond borders.

For now, I remain committed to learning, practicing, and growing — one conversation at a time.