"Imagine that you are mediating a workplace dispute. Two co-workers, Jake and Sam, have been ordered by their boss to utilize the company's mediation program to resolve their constant on-the-job bickering. Their animosity gave rise to a brief fistfight last month. The supervisor has indicated that unless they can work out their problems and avoid any further altercations, both will be fired. After ninety minutes of trying to help them communicate more effectively and resolve the conflict, you have gotten almost nowhere. Jake seems to be approaching the negotiation in good faith, but Sam refuses to acknowledge any responsibility for the problem or to agree to modify his own conduct going forward."

How do you decide whether to give up or to persevere? Is this a real impasse or only an apparent one?