We're all familiar with conflict. In and of itself, conflict isn't bad, but it's rarely considered fun. The way we choose to deal with conflict determines whether it's good or bad, useful or harmful, educational or simply painful, or all of these together. Oftentimes, the best way to handle a conflict is the opposite of what our emotions, our experience, and our history drive us to do. It's not always easy to determine when a conflict has reached a stage where our own responses won't get us the best results. This is when it become helpful to bring in a mediator – a go-between who will listen to all sides of the conflict, focus on the key issues (which are all too often overshadowed by emotions and other biases), and help guide you to the best resolution.