A mediator is a person who helps settle disputes between parties. Synonyms for mediator include advocate, judge, and arbiter. One of the primary roles of an SME is to fi nd common ground between multiple parties. SMEs don’t just recommend solutions to satisfy the dominant decision maker; they identify a way forward that benefits everyone.

As discussed earlier, experts see things that other people do not. They also “chunk” information into different and unique autonomous units. They see more possibilities, process the possibilities more quickly, and identify the best alternatives more efficiently and accurately than other people. Consequently, experts are ideally suited for mediation. They understand the perspectives of contradictory points of view and quickly move to satisfy all parties.

Mediators don’t pick sides. They may be assigned to a side by virtue of employment, association, or historical factors, but they must remain neutral and objective. They fi nd mutually beneficial paths with the least cost, the least eff ort, the least risk, and the least disruption. They reveal a path to give both sides what they want, rather than what they don’t want.