Sarah Blake

Sarah Blake is a multi-award winning Conflict Strategist and Mediator. A second-generation practitioner with 25 years of experience, she delivers a calm and confident leadership style that helps clients navigate complex decision-making during conflict, change and crisis.

This user account status is Approved

CMEQP - Experience Qualification Path (Historic)

Organization: Sarah M Blake Pty LtdPosition: Director

sarah@smblake.com

+61 419841184

Rockingham WA
Australia

Australia, Fiji, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Solomon Islands, United Kingdom, United States

English

Community, Corporate, Cultural, International, Multi-party, Workplace

Please contact Ms Blake fo…

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Open to Work

Mediating In-House

Evaluative

Facilitative

Transformative

Emerging

Very Experienced

Client Feedback Digest

Overview

My review of Sarah Blake's mediation practice is based on six feedback digests and references. These included feedback from previous clients and fellow co-mediators, many of whom are also listed as referees. Sarah Blake has consistently been rated at a high performance level both by parties for whom she has acted as a mediator and by fellow co-mediators with whom she has co-mediated. A very high percentage of parties would recommend Ms Blake as a mediator – particularly as a cross-cultural mediator (this is supported by the number of parties willing to use her again and their willingness to provide a reference to parties considering her engagement as a mediator in the future). Those who experienced Ms Blake’s strategic approach to preparing for the mediation reported that her style enabled parties to feel confident both in her capacity and in the mediation process as whole. The following response from one party, presents a consistent reflection on parties experiences. “Sarah was very confident and down to earth which made her easy to work with. Sarah made sure that all those involved in the process had a good understanding of what “mediation” is and how it works before commencing the actual planning process. I found that ensured that all those involved did not have unrealistic expectations about mediation and that all involved had the same understanding about what the process would be. I felt that Sarah was very effective in empowering the participants with the result that they had ‘ownership” of the process.” She was congratulated for her understanding of the importance of proper preparation prior to the mediation - enabling the parties to determine whether mediation is the right path for them and if so how they can also prepare properly for the process. Respondents agreed that Ms Blake demonstrated a strong ability to work with people in high conflict situations, assisting them to find ways to work together to identify their issues in dispute and work to develop alternative options for resolution of conflict. Parties and co-mediators all commented on Ms Blake’s ability to ‘listen’ to parties and develop strategies that responded to their needs was a significant strength. Responses also indicate that her professional approach enables her to maintain integrity of process and impartiality. One respondent noted that “I was most impressed with Sarah’s ability to ensure and maintain the integrity of the process throughout. By doing this Sarah ensured that all participants felt the mediation was impartial”. Mention was made of Ms Blake’s exceptional ability and skill when working in cross cultural contexts, particularly when working with Indigenous Australians. Her professionalism and responsiveness were said to demonstrate a high standard of competency in cross-cultural conflict management. One referee spoke that her “manner of interaction with us and the complex issues in a complex cross-cultural context instilled confidence. She had a strong handle on the dynamics of cross-cultural conflict management.” Comments about her cross-cultural capacity indicated that she is highly capable of generating an environment where people feel comfortable and confident with the mediator, the process and outcomes they reach. A wide range of mediator skills have emerged from the feedback received regarding Ms Blake’s capacity as a Mediator. Responses consistently commented that she brings clarity, calmness and patience to the table, and is clear and transparent in the way she works with people and the process that she facilitates. Parties and fellow mediators consistently spoke of her integrity, flexibility, capacity to listen and passion which ensured that the mediations she has conducted have been of a high standard. No reportable negative comments have arisen in the past two calendar years.

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Qualified Mediator

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Certified Mediator

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Current Position & Background

Helping you have the conversations that matter.

Sarah Blake is a multi-award winning Corporate Trainer, Conflict Strategist and International Speaker. As a second generation practitioner with 25 years of experience, what sets Sarah apart from others in her industry is her capacity to understand the strategic implications of conflict; enabling her to work with clients to achieve real solutions.

With a focus on high conflict, culture and leadership, Sarah works with leaders and teams to help them navigate their way through change, confusion and conflict so they can make better decisions.

Her expertise in process design for multi-party, cross-border and cultural disputes has resulted in international recognition. She has served on multiple local and national committees and is sought after internationally to contribute to industry growth. Her clients have included the World Bank, BHP and Australian Federal Police. She has recently released her first book – a poetry collection on the business of peacemaking.

Contact Sarah via sarah@smblake.com or our website at https://smblake.com/

Practice Areas

Sarah’s main practice area is in the high conflict cases, the multi-party, cross-border or cultural disputes. These are the conflicts that are increasingly impacting government, commercial and community sectors’ capacity to deliver on growth, innovation and change.

In particular, this includes Land & Resources, Commercial and Corporate conflicts. Sarah also provides significant workplace conflict intervention which includes mediation, training and coaching.

As part of her practice, she is increasingly involved in conflict management work with boards focusing on governance functionality – helping them make decisions and communicate effectively when things get complicated.

Mediation Style

Sarah’s mediation style follows a facilitation interest-based style and brings a calm confident authority to holding the conflict space. Whilst a strong advocate of collaborative problem sovling, she also embraces the limitations of mediations and encourages partnerships with lawyers to ensure parties are provided with every opportunity to make an informed decision. Sarah understands that complex problems require a multi-disciplinary approach to problem-solving and her breadth of expereince enables her to explore beyond the legal framework.

With a particular focus on the pre-mediation process, Sarah works with parties in both the design of culturally appropriate processes and in preparing them to effectively participate in the negotiation. This helps parties maximise the chances of a constructive outcome and helps to reduce time and costs pressures which often create barriers for effective decision-making.

Generally, but not exclusively, the process is delivered in joint sittings with minimal caucus interventions. That said, each mediation is designed in consultation with clients to ensure that the process reflects a legitimate decision-making forum. This is particularly so when delivering within a cross-cultural, cross-border or international jurisdictional environment.

She has designed multiple dispute resolution process that engages both traditional and western contemporary ADR practices. Her work at Federal, State, University, Commercial and Not for Profit sectors provide unique insights into the complexities of multiparty decision-making.

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Client Feedback Digest

Overview

IMI Credentials

Qualified Mediator

Certified Mediator

Current Position & Background

Practice Areas

Mediation Style

Mediation Experience

Mediation Education

Teaching & Mentoring

Conference Presentations

Mediation Publications

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