The Allocation of Space

A formal mediation room at St Jude's Hospital in Boston, where Mike, the professional mediator, is attempting to resolve a bitter workplace conflict between two senior consultants, Alex and Nicole, who haven't spoken directly in twelve months.

The Allocation of Space

True or false?

Alex and Nicole have been arguing for a whole year.

• True
• False

The mediation session takes place in London.

• True
• False

Alex cancels patients because of a scheduling conflict with his operating theatre.

• True
• False

The entire feud began over a misunderstanding about a parking space and a scratched bumper.

• True
• False

Mike immediately shuts down the mediation and calls the police.

• True
• False

Listen again and complete the sentences

• Mike: Good morning, Alex, Nicole. Let's try to establish some basic rules for today's mediation session before we address your behavior and any ____ .
• Nicole: And I'm here because Alex keeps canceling my urgent oncology patients without any prior warning or consultation. It's completely ____ .
• Alex: She started sending those sarcastic emails with ____ emojis whenever I delegated tasks to the junior residents.
• Nicole: Because you were taking credit for their research papers and never letting them empower themselves in theatre! You'd ____ anyone who raised concerns.
• Mike: Okay, we see several layers of ____ here, but let's look at the root cause. When did this hostility actually start?

Sources: photo by Antoni Shkraba on Pexels