“Once More Unto the Breach”: The Power of Positivity in Mediation and Negotiation
By [Author Name]
“Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more.”
These words, immortalised by Shakespeare’s Henry V, are more than a call to battle — they are a call to courage, resilience, and belief in the possibility of a better outcome.
In the world of mediation and negotiation, mindset matters. The way parties approach the table — with hope or hostility, curiosity or cynicism — often determines the result more than the facts or figures on the page. Positivity is not naivety. It is strategy. And it can transform outcomes.
1. Positivity Opens Doors That Aggression Closes
An adversarial mindset sees negotiation as a zero-sum game: one party wins, the other loses. But mediation is not war — it’s a bridge. A positive mindset allows parties to see shared interests, not just conflicting positions. It fosters openness, patience, and respect. It humanises the process.
In mediation, the person across the table is not your enemy. They are the person with whom you will build your solution.
2. Optimism Fosters Creativity
Negotiation is rarely about finding the perfect answer. It’s about crafting a better way forward. When people believe that resolution is possible, they become more willing to explore options, take risks, and think laterally.
A positive outlook encourages “what if” thinking:
- What if we structure payments differently?
- What if we involve a third party?
- What if we just meet halfway?
Scepticism narrows the path. Positivity widens it.
3. Resilience in the Face of Setbacks
Not all negotiations run smoothly. Emotions flare. Offers are rejected. People walk out. A positive mindset helps parties and their advisers return to the breach — to try again. To recommit. To trust that progress is still possible.
This is especially important in mediation, where a breakthrough can come minutes after an impasse, provided someone is willing to keep going. Positivity is the fuel that gets you there.
4. Confidence Is Contagious
Positivity breeds confidence — in your position, in your ability to communicate it, and in the mediation process itself. That energy can be contagious. A constructive tone from one side often draws the same from the other. Conversely, negativity quickly poisons the atmosphere.
A calm, hopeful, forward-looking attitude builds trust — not only with the other party, but also with the mediator. And trust is the foundation of resolution.
5. Reframing the Narrative
Litigation often tells a story of harm, betrayal, or failure. Mediation allows parties to rewrite that narrative. A positive mindset helps them shift from past grievance to future possibility — from “what went wrong” to “what can we do now?”
This reframing is essential to achieving closure and, in many cases, preserving valuable commercial or personal relationships.
Conclusion: The Courage to Be Constructive
Positivity in mediation is not passive. It is active, intentional, and bold. It takes courage to believe in progress, to resist cynicism, and to return “once more unto the breach” in the pursuit of resolution.
As advisers and advocates, we shape the atmosphere of negotiation. We can choose to lead with fear or with hope. To enter the room defensively, or with an open mind. Mediation rewards those who see possibilities, not just problems.
So next time you face the prospect of a difficult mediation, remember Henry V. Rally your client. Raise your own morale. Enter the process not as a combatant, but as a builder.
Because in negotiation, as in battle — mindset makes the difference.