Construction Industry: Women Armed and Dangerous Have Mediators Frustrated - by Elizabeth Moreno

Construction Industry: Women Armed and Dangerous Have Mediators Frustrated - by Elizabeth Moreno: "In the recent years, women have transformed from homemaker to a builder and ultimate decision maker in hiring contractors. This trend has been caused because of the labor shortage in the construction field and increasing number of households headed by single women. The introduction of women into this field can be a barrier for the construction mediator in resolving disputes, where for years the field was dominated by men. Mediators have to recognize that men and women negotiate differently. If the mediator uses the ‘one size' fits all approach, his mediation will go down in defeat.

Research has shown that women out perform men when they are negotiating on behalf of someone else, such as a client or on behalf of an employer. Women more often than men take a ‘collaborative' or cooperative approach to negotiation that has been shown to produce agreements that are better for both sides. Women are more likely than men to listen to the needs and concerns of the other side, communicate their own priorities and pressures, and try to find solutions that benefit all parties-to find the win/win solutions. This approach not only leads to better outcomes for everyone, it often produces creative solutions to problems that might have been overlooked by men taking a more competitive or adversarial approach. Also, by looking for those win/win solutions, women tend to preserve and enhance long-term business relationships-they don't burn as many bridges as men who focus on short-term gains. Women work harder, smarter but do not boast about their accomplishments."