Partializing and Role Reversal

Objective:

By the end of this lesson, you will learn how to break down complex issues through partializing and use role reversal to build empathy. These skills will enable you to simplify disputes and foster understanding between parties, enhancing your mediation effectiveness.

Role Play: A Dispute Between a Landlord and Tenant in Kisii Over Eviction

To apply the concepts of this lesson, consider the following scenario:

Background: In Kisii, a landlord, Mr. Otieno, and his tenant, Jane, are in conflict over an eviction notice. Mr. Otieno wants Jane out for missing two months’ rent (KSH 20,000 total), citing property maintenance costs. Jane argues she withheld rent due to a leaking roof Mr. Otieno hasn’t fixed, and she feels unfairly targeted. The dispute is escalating, with threats of court action.

Parties Involved:

• Otieno (Landlord): Seeks eviction and payment, frustrated by non-compliance.
• Jane (Tenant): Resists eviction, demands repairs, feels neglected.

Task: As you work through this lesson, think about how partializing and role reversal could help Mr. Otieno and Jane resolve their dispute. How would you break it down and build empathy? We’ll revisit this at the end to apply your learning.

Course Content:

1. Techniques for Partializing Complex Issues

Partializing simplifies multifaceted disputes into manageable parts, as outlined in the 40-Hour Mediation Course Handbook (Module 5, p. 77):

• Definition: Partializing is “breaking a complex conflict into smaller, distinct issues to address one at a time.”
• Techniques:
  • Identify Components: List separate elements, e.g., “We’ve got rent payment, repairs, and eviction—let’s tackle them one by one.”
  • Prioritize: Decide what’s urgent, e.g., “Shall we start with the roof leak or the rent owed?”
  • Focus Sequentially: Discuss one issue fully before moving on, e.g., “Let’s settle the repair timeline, then payment.”
• Purpose: Reduces overwhelm, making resolution feel achievable for Mr. Otieno and Jane.

Key Insight: Partializing turns a tangled mess into clear steps.

Reflection Question: How might partializing help Jane feel less overwhelmed by the eviction threat?

2. How to Use Role Reversal to Build Empathy

Role reversal encourages parties to see each other’s perspectives, fostering empathy, as per the handbook (Module 5, p. 78):

• Definition: Role reversal is “asking parties to imagine or articulate the other’s viewpoint to enhance understanding.”
• How It Works:
  • Prompt Perspective-Taking: “Jane, what do you think it’s like for Mr. Otieno to manage unpaid rent? Mr. Otieno, how might Jane feel with a leaking roof?”
  • Encourage Reflection: Ask them to explain, e.g., “Jane, why might Mr. Otieno need that rent?”
  • Facilitate Insight: Highlight common ground, e.g., “You both want a functional living situation—how do we get there?”
• Purpose: Builds empathy, reducing hostility by showing Mr. Otieno Jane’s frustration and Jane Mr. Otieno’s pressures.

Key Insight: Role reversal bridges emotional gaps, softening rigid positions.

Reflection Question: How might role reversal help Mr. Otieno understand Jane’s repair complaints?

3. Practical Exercises in Partializing and Role Reversal

Practice refines these skills, as encouraged in the handbook (Module 5, p. 81). Here are exercises tied to the role play:

• Exercise 1: Partializing Practice
  • Scenario: Jane says, “He’s evicting me because of a leak he won’t fix, and I can’t pay!”
  • Task: Partialize it. Example: “Let’s break this down: 1) the roof leak, 2) the rent arrears, 3) the eviction notice—which first?”
  • Goal: Simplify into actionable parts.
• Exercise 2: Role Reversal Practice
  • Scenario: Otieno says, “She’s just avoiding payment!”
  • Task: Use role reversal. Example: “Mr. Otieno, imagine you’re Jane—why might she withhold rent with a leak?”
  • Goal: Spark empathy by seeing her side.
• Exercise 3: Combined Application
  • Scenario: Jane: “He’s unfair!” Mr. Otieno: “She’s a deadbeat!”
  • Task: Partialize and role reverse.
    • Partialize: “We’ve got repairs, payment, and eviction—let’s start with repairs.”
    • Role Reverse: “Jane, how might Mr. Otieno feel about unpaid rent? Mr. Otieno, what’s it like for Jane under a leak?”
  • Goal: Break it down and build understanding, leading to a deal—e.g., fix the roof, pay half the rent.

Key Insight: Practice makes partializing and role reversal natural tools for resolution.

Reflection Question: Try partializing Jane’s complaint—how does it clarify the dispute?

Applying the Lesson to the Role Play

Let’s revisit Mr. Otieno and Jane’s dispute:

• Partializing:
  • “We’ve got three issues: the leak, the rent, and the eviction. Let’s start with the leak—what’s needed?”
• Role Reversal:
  • “Jane, imagine you’re Mr. Otieno—why might he need that rent? Mr. Otieno, what’s it like for Jane with a leaking roof?”
  • Jane might say, “He needs it for upkeep,” and Mr. Otieno, “She’s frustrated living like that.”
• Outcome: Empathy grows; they agree to fix the roof within a week, Jane pays KSH 10,000, and eviction is paused.

Your Role as Mediator: You’d partialize their complex dispute and use role reversal to build empathy, guiding them to a practical solution.