The author of this article argues that a mediator should caucus with each party before they are ever brought together for a joint session. Pre-caucusing in this way gives parties the opportunity to vent and be heard before meeting with the other party, which can help reduce later defensiveness. Mediators may also be able to coach parties during this time and help them to understand the tools that will help them become more effective negotiators in the future. Many of the criticisms of caucusing can be dealt with by utilizing a more transformative model of mediation, which gives the parties control of the outcome and involves little mediator direction. Laying out groundwork during the pre-caucus allows the parties to deal with each other with a minimum of mediator interference. The author contends that pre-caucusing has so many potential benefits that it may soon become a pillar of conflict management.