The Connector has difficulty acting as a mediator of client-service relationships. This is for two reasons. Firstly, like the client, they have not been informed about or socialised into the operating procedures and decision-making processes of distant service organisations. Secondly, they lack the training and specialised back-up needed to respond sensitively to the nuances of client needs, to accurately interpret these, to match them with services and to successfully represent client interests and needs to service organisations. Natural talent can go only some way toward making up for these deficits.
Mediators can mediate more effectively.
Like Connectors they have detailed information about a range of services and provisions and how to access them, but are also trained to respond accurately and sensitively to people's needs. They may also have the power to make funds available to clients so that they can access and communicate with distant service personnel more effectively. Still, though, they are only equipped to provide 'stop-gap', emergency and low level services. Of course, what they can do is valuable and is often exactly what is needed in a given situation. Generalists go a few steps further in that they have more advanced knowledge and skills.