Paxman Mediation

Why Emotional Intelligence & NLP Make Mediation More Effective — and Why It Sets My Practice Apart

Great mediation isn’t just about process. It’s about people.

Behind every dispute — whether commercial, workplace, partnership or financial — there are emotions, perceptions, fears, and communication patterns driving the conflict.

This is why mediation led with Emotional Intelligence (EI/EQ) and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) produces better, faster, and longer-lasting results.

As a CMC & IMI Registered Civil & Commercial Mediator with a background in NLP, psychology, and negotiation, here’s what I’ve learned:

Emotional Intelligence builds trust — quickly.

Most disputes escalate because people feel unheard, misunderstood, or invalidated.
EI allows me to read what’s not being said — the underlying needs, frustrations, and triggers — and bridge the gap so both sides feel safe to move forward.

NLP helps break unhelpful patterns in real time.

Through NLP techniques (language reframing, rapport building, pattern interruption), I help parties shift from defensive thinking to constructive problem-solving.

This creates breakthroughs where communication has completely broken down

.

⚖️ Together, EI + NLP reduce tension and unlock solutions.

When people feel understood, conversations soften.
When thinking patterns shift, options appear.
And when both happen together?

Resolution becomes not only possible — but often quicker and more collaborative.

⭐ Why clients choose me

With a background in:
✔ Investment Banking & Executive Leadership
✔ Complex negotiations
✔ Cross-border conflict resolution
✔ Psychology & NLP
✔ High-pressure stakeholder environments

…I bring a calm, strategic, human-centred approach to even the most difficult disputes.

Areas I specialise in:

• Contract & commercial disputes
• Workplace conflict & misconduct
• Business partner disputes
• Investment/banking disputes
• Defamation & discrimination
• Cross-border conflicts

If you’re navigating a dispute — or if you're a solicitor looking for a mediator who truly understands people as much as process — I’d be happy to support.

 
Global Reach and Sustainability Commitment
Operating internationally, Sharon brings a global perspective to her practice. She understands the cultural nuances and legal frameworks that shape disputes in different jurisdictions, ensuring her solutions are both locally relevant and internationally sound.

As a signatory of the World Mediators Alliance on Climate Change Green Pledge, Sharon actively champions sustainability. She prioritizes Zoom mediations & negotiations, not only for their accessibility but also to reduce the environmental impact of in-person meetings. Her commitment to green practices reflects her broader ethos of fostering harmony, balance, and sustainability in all aspects of her work. However, in-person in some circumstances works favourably and is therefore possible.

Professional Memberships
Sharon’s dedication to excellence is further demonstrated through her affiliations with leading professional organizations:

The Civil Mediation Council (CMC)
The International Mediation Institute (IMI)
Certified International Negotiator (CIN)
Neuro-linguistic programming practitioner

Sharon Paxman is a mediator with a robust track record and professional accreditations that underscore her dedication to the field. Alongside her involvement in litigation, Sharon brings a distinctive blend of legal experience and practical insight to her mediation.

With a previous background in investment banking spanning over a decade, Sharon held executive-level positions, honing her negotiation skills through managing intricate deals. Her adeptness in navigating high-stakes negotiations has been a cornerstone of her career. 

In 2010, Sharon became the youngest ever Executive director for a leading London Investment Bank, illustrating her drive and determination.

Furthermore, as a successful business owner with a range of award-winning products, Sharon brings a pragmatic and results-driven approach to her mediation.

Sharon's transition to becoming a certified civil and commercial mediator enhances her professional skill set. Drawing from her current legal background and a keen understanding of psychology, she offers nuanced and effective mediation services. 

Dedicated to fostering constructive and amicable resolutions, Sharon leverages her diverse background in law, finance, and entrepreneurship to address a wide array of mediation scenarios. Clients benefit strategic insight, empathy, and commitment to achieving optimal outcomes.

Additionally, Sharon is an active member of the Human Rights Lawyer Association, further showcasing her commitment to promoting justice and fairness.

With experience of working with banks, media companies, and a multitude of different business to come to an agreeable resolution.

Sharon's fees are adaptable and open to negotiation, tailored to each specific case.

Sharon is happy to mediate face to face in Essex and London, and via zoom in all other UK locations.