Compromise – Part 2

Written on .

Last week, we looked at the first definition of compromise. I will reproduce the full list here for reference:

Webster’s New Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language defines compromise in this way:

  1. A settlement in which each side gives up some demands or makes concessions
  2. An adjustment of opposing principles, systems, etc. in which part of each is given up
  3. The result of such an adjustment or settlement
  4. Something midway between different things
  5. A laying open to danger, suspicion or disrepute, as a compromise of one’s good name, or; to surrender or give up (one’s interest, principles, etc.)

Let’s continue.

Continue reading

Compromise – Part 3

Written on .

The last post ended with the question, “So, why do people use compromise?” Let’s explore that one.

Compromise is, to me, one of those things that has been around for so long that it seems normal. Does it work? That depends on what you mean by “work.” Can it be used to make decisions, come to agreement, and solve problems? Yes. But making the decision or coming to the agreement is just the beginning. What happens next is critical for determining whether the process of compromise “worked.”

Continue reading

Compromise – Part 4

Written on .

There are many factors that can affect the process and effectiveness of compromise as well as what happens later. “Later?” you say. Yes, after that often convoluted effort the decisions resulting from compromise then have to be implemented and worked with, and this is another source of problems with compromise. I will get back to the topic of what happens next in a bit.

Continue reading

Solution-Building™: An Introduction, Part 1

Written on .

At the end of the last post, I said that I would be introducing Solution-Building in the first of a series of posts discussing this process as an alternative to standard compromise for making decisions and solving problems. In this post I will start by giving some background about Solution-Building and discuss the basic philosophy of this approach to decision-making and problem-solving.

Continue reading

Solution-Building™: An Introduction, Part 2

Written on .

In the last post I ended with a brief discussion of issues that can arise when working with others we do not like or even actively dislike. This time we will start with how we can get along with, and work with, these people.

Continue reading

Solution-Building™: An Introduction, Part 3

Written on .

In the previous two posts I have discussed commitment, objectivity, and courtesy and have talked about how we can work with people we do not, or perhaps do not believe we do or can, like. Let’s talk about attitude now.

Continue reading

Solution-Building™: An Introduction, Part 4

Written on .

This week I want to start to address an important issue: ego. 

Ego is an important part of personality; it defines us to ourselves as who we are. It is very intimately internal to each of us. Ego, in and of itself, is neither good nor bad but how we express our ego to those around us will influence how they see us. It will also influence how they relate to and work with us.

Continue reading

Solution-Building™: An Introduction, Part 5

Written on .

Last week I started on the subject of ego and talked about the positive value of ego and how that could contribute positively to a group decision-making or problem-solving effort. This week I will turn to the Dark Side of ego (with apologies to George Lucas).

Continue reading

Solution-Building™: The Rules, Part 1

Written on .

Starting with this entry, I will be describing Solution-Building much more directly. The last several posts have provided some of the background thinking that led to the formulation of a series of guidelines, or rules, for using Solution-Building as a framework for better decision-making and problem-solving. 

Continue reading

Solution-Building™: The Rules, Part 2

Written on .

************

I apologize for being offline for the past two weeks. I have been dealing with the passing of my 103-year-old father. This involved making many decisions, both on my own and in consultation with my family and people we needed to work with outside the family. Some were easy and some difficult, but I did my best to follow the principles I am writing about in this blog. It helped keep me focused on the essentials and on easing the burden on others, as well as myself. 

Now, back to Solution-Building, picking up where we left off.

Continue reading

Copyright © MovingBeyondCompromise.com 2019