A mediator plays a very important role when solving a conflict. The mediator is able to look at a problem from both point of views. The mediator should have a neutral l feeling towards both parties so that he or she does not favor one over the other. The mediator also can calm a heated conversation down and try to interpret what one or the other is saying to not hurt anyone’s feelings. Unfortunately, this does not always happen. For example, I have a meeting coming up with my coworker and manager. My coworker likes to talk behind my back and has a made a perception of me to the manager that is not true. Because my coworker is passive aggressive, my manager favors her. My manager doesn’t not notice she is being passive aggressive but I can see right through her. I am not looking forward to this meeting because it is obvious my manager favors my coworker. A mediator should not make it obvious that he or she favors one over the other. If so, one of the parties may feel uncomfortable and the conversation may not go smoothly.
I wonder if seniority plays a role. Has that person been there longer than you have? I was in a similar situation and it seemed that the main manager chose the other manager over me because that person had been there longer than I have. Either way it doesn't justify the person's behavior, but it may help explain the situation a little better. I think a person's work should speak for itself and everything else should be hearsay.
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