Insights into Positive Compromise

Some of the most sought-after soft skills are problem solving, collaboration, and negotiation. All of these include the skills needed for positive compromise.

Three primary approaches with leaders around this idea of positive or negative compromise:

#1. The first group acknowledges the possibilities in positive compromise serving as a necessary tool for resolving conflicts and promoting cooperation and collaboration.

#2. The second group of leaders talk about the act of compromise as a negative, undesired strategy that undermines a leader’s authority and influence.

#3. The third group of leaders seek to find compromise that is both positive and negative. These leaders seek to find a middle ground where all involved find at least some of their needs being met.  A concern with the balance act of this third group is that, over time, changes subtly move the group away from the initially accepted “middle ground” and movement shifts towards either end of compromise.

THE BIG MISCONCEPTION IN COMPROMISE: In any compromise there is always and only a right and a wrong.

The priorities of positive compromise remain the same:

• each person’s fundamental beliefs and value are non-negotiable.
•    each person’s identity is not being challenged.
• each person is respected in their desire for autonomy and freedom.

Here are 5 steps you can follow with positive compromise:

1. DEFINE THE SITUATION

2. COMMUNITY MATTERS

3. GENERATE OPTIONS

4. DISCOVER ALTERNATIVES

5. AGREE ON NEXT STEPS 

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