In this episode, we sit down with Leonardo D’Urso, one of Europe’s pioneers in mediation and conflict resolution and the CEO of ADR Center. We begin by exploring his personal journey, what first drew him into the field, and move on to the heart of his work: explaining what mediation really is, and who can (and cannot) become an effective mediator.
Leonardo takes us inside his new book, SOLVE: Mastering Conflict Resolution with the SOLVE Mediation Matrix, and introduces listeners to a structured framework that guides parties from conflict to resolution. He explains the five stages of the SOLVE Matrix: Set the Stage, Open the Process, Listen & Understand, Validate Options, and Enable Resolution, and illustrates how these work in practice with examples from commercial, community, and even victim-offender mediations.
We also discuss why the book goes beyond process steps to include targets, strategies, activities, keys, and skills, and what this level of detail contributes to real-world dispute resolution. Leonardo shares memorable mediation stories, insights into what people often misunderstand about mediation compared to litigation, and surprising lessons from applying the same approach across such diverse contexts.
Looking ahead, Leonardo reflects on the future of mediation and its role in addressing today’s global conflicts. He also offers practical advice for listeners: how anyone, whether or not they’ve ever been in a mediation room, can start adopting a mediator’s mindset in everyday life.
Finally, we ask him to capture the essence of his book, and to reflect on who he considers truly great in the world of negotiation and mediation.
