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believe, caring, collaboration, community, courage, environment, health, integrity, mission, natural resources, passion, Purpose, working together, world issues
When I think about the tensions between companies that harvest natural resources and groups who want to protect our environment, I am saddened that both sides often get stuck in an ‘I’m right and you’re wrong’ mindset.
Instead of hitting heads where we disagree; often resulting in the end of any discussion or collaboration at all, why can’t we start from a place of common values and build on them together?
This video illustrates what we may face if we can’t work together.
We need to find a way to work together.
~ HUMP DAY CHRONICLES ~
What can we do as individuals to encourage open dialogue in situations where two parties have stopped talking?
Related posts: For the Greatest Good and Is being right, always right?
talktodiana 
I think there are really two discussions here: a general one about conflict and a specific one about environmental conflict. But maybe in both cases it can be an error to believe that common ground exists — it may not. Much depends on one’s model of the world and one’s value system, and some of those models are incompatible. Accordance may not be possible, which leaves only compromise as a solution. The trick, then, is trying to find compromise acceptable to all parties.
The Middle East and beliefs about abortion provide excellent examples of seemingly irresolvable conflicts.
There is also the matter of polarization, which seems the norm these days. People view agreement with an opponent’s points as a “loss” for their side. We tend to view conflict as a zero-sum game, which makes compromise extremely difficult.
A great deal of conflict comes from placing emotionally-based thinking above rational thinking. Facts and logic are more likely to lead to a single, correct conclusion (although in a complex world there’s no guarantee). For example, the facts and logic of the environmental situation are pretty clear: if we don’t smarten the heck up and do better we will kill ourselves off. We’re doing a very good job of it so far.
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Abortion is a great example for the point you are trying to make!
There’s something in me that believes if two parties commit to talking things out and can find a smidgen of common ground to start talking about, they can build on that.
Of course, it really only matters to the people who the subject matters to. I’m not suggesting that one person would facilitate every issue out there – that would be crazy-making! But when something is important to me, I want to facilitate talks and I want to be open compromise. 🙂
Diana xo
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One day I plan to compare regions in Canada in a blog post, where I’ve lived. Alberta seems so..opposite of B.C. There are strong, well-established environmental protection groups (non-profit) in B.C. Very heightened awareness to Alberta. Soemthing terrible has to happen to wake people up.
As for the resource industries, oil and gas, I find it interesting the head office firms support cycling for their employees. Of course, it makes them look green.
Provincial environmental regulator is seen as weak.
I’m not sure what the answer would be to find a common ground.
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Me neither Jean, but we must sit around the table, find a common starting point and take it from there and we need to do it sooner rather than later. Your idea for a post that compares regions sounds like an awesome idea!
Diana xo
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I wish I knew the answer! This concerns me greatly when I think of our future generations. Such an important and timely message, Diana. x
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It can feel like your paddling up a raging river Jennifer, but history has taught us anything, it’s that one person can make a difference and if they’re really passionate about whatever it is, they draw followers to themselves…it just doesn’t feel like you’re getting anywhere in the beginning, does it?
Diana xo
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The wealth of this earth belongs to all living things of the earth – including future generations. Extract and consume – but keep it sustainable. And you’re right, Diana – when there is a divide, we need to talk more – because all sides have merits and demerits.
Peace,
Eric
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Thanks Eric, the earth does belong to all living things!
Diana xo
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What a powerful and yet gentle message.
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Thanks Julie. You remind me of that quote by St. Francis de Sales: Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength.
Diana
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Diana, the egos always hang in the balance.
And sometimes there is a bottom line (maybe cash or power) that usually the rest of the world may not know about.
On a personal level, I have respect for people that can talk things through. Am I that person? Sometimes and sometimes not.
When I feel so strongly about something I sometimes turn into a egoistic idiot. 🙂
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There are some things we must stand our ground on and feel strongly about though, like domestic abuse for example, don’t you think?
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Agreed. Diana. Sometimes ironclad principles preclude any movement toward a common good. Thus both sides lose. Big problem!
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HUGE problem! Thanks for visiting my blog Mark. 🙂
Diana xo
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Thank you Diana – this is so important! When people dig their heels in on the “how” it becomes a stand your ground issue and a tug of war. I agree with you common ground is at a higher level – the shared concern and vision for the future.
I think it was Einstein that said something about this – a problem can never be resolved at the same level.
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Thanks Val! We humans (myself included) can be so competitive! The good news is that we can teach ourselves to pay attention to the times we feel this urge, and choose to look for common values instead of digging in our heels, wouldn’t you agree?
Diana xo
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Here in Tasmania where I live there had been a 40 year battle between environmentalists (wanting to save the environment) and forestry companies (wanting to save their jobs). That war was constantly a political football. One day someone had the idea that the groups should come together and find common ground. After a somewhat shaky start, in the end they found the common ground was their humanity. They were all people with families and loved ones. They all wanted peace and to end the war. What followed on from that one common thread (that was nothing to do with each parties original aim) was four years of negotiations and finally an agreement all groups could be happy with, protection of a massive area of forests with compensation to industry by the federal government.
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* oops. that should be each party’s original aim.
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Wow Elizabeth – they took it down to the lowest common denominator and still it worked. That’s amazing! Thank you for sharing that story.
Diana xo
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I was involved with a similar stand-off between environmentalists and the lumber/construction industries centered around protection of the endangered species “Karner Blue Butterfly,” with a similar result of people coming together. It was a terrific model of partnership for a time, until the people who had led it began to retire, and there were no like-minded leader stepping forward to take their place. What I learned from this: what it takes is wise, compassionate, skilled, effective leaders dedicated to the common good.
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and a lot of hard work! It’s not easy to sit at a table with nay sayers, it can take forever, but rather do the work up front and have everyone on the same page at implementation!
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The hard work part is what keeps people from stepping forward to do the job, I think.
It’s a lot easier to walk away from the naysayers and let them stew in their negativity. Which I sometimes feel, for my own sanity, I must do.
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As do I Tracy. 🙂
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I understand that feeling – of when the older dedicated leaders retire. The leaders certainly do make a difference.
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As always…finding that delicate balance can be difficult.
Greed and fear throw some serious monkey wrenches in things like the ecosystem.
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so true Denise – thanks for weighing in!
Diana xo
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Haha! You must have been reading my mind as I wrote my blog this morning! I posted and then came here and read yours. Such synchronicity! Except of course you are much more succinct in your descriptions!
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(smiling) Just came from your blog Louise – how coincidentally delightful! You are a negotiator extraordinaire.
Keep up your important work!
Diana xo
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That is a very good question to which I wonder if there is an answer… “What can we do as individuals to encourage open dialogue in situations where two parties have stopped talking?”,,, I think the person that finds the answer to this question will be a brilliant person… Today, opposing parties will find any excuse to walk out of talks, not wanting to be seen to give an inch.. always wanting to hold the upper hand in any negotiation…
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Maybe there isn’t just one answer?
Thanks for stopping by bulldog! ❤
Diana
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For me there is no right or wrong…just preferable or not preferable.
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in all things Gavin? Or just in this situation?
Diana xo
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