This iceberg image and metaphor provided by Professor Jean Carlos Dal Bianco illustrates well the various vantage points of mediator and the parties. What do the parties see? What do mediators see? 

The parties' focus is on interests, needs and desires. 

Mediators are seeking:

Untapped possibilities, reading universal emotions, challenging limiting beliefs, while striving for mutual gains. 

Communication will be focused on to ensure effective and clear messages and reading non-verbal language all the while trying to reach settlement and agreement.