On Leadership and Conflict Resolution

I recently re-read John W. Gardner's 1990 book "On Leadership."

Gardner was Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare under President Lyndon Johnson, creator of Common Cause, and presided over the creation of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

In Chapter 9, Gardner noted that every government and business leader must occasionally engage in justifiable conflict and while we seem to have a limitless capacity for conflict there is a point where conflict becomes counterproductive. Political, business and informal leaders must learn the art of preventing, defusing, and resolving conflicts. 

Gardner listed ways to help disputants work together and search for solutions. The list included scaling down irrational demands and provocations, differing perceptions of the facts, insensitivity of each side to the other's legitimate needs and giving each side the possibility of compromising without losing face. Making it possible for each side to have their say while the other side is required to listen can make it possible for parties to find common ground that can be pursued to mutual advantage.

Gardner described a process (later used by President Carter to arrive at the Camp David Accords) of a third party drafting a proposed settlement agreement for discussion that was basically mid-way between the positions of the two parties. With each subsequent draft the parties began to find ways to agree. He ends his discussion of conflict resolution by writing that the techniques of conflict resolution should be taught in every high school and college.

I can't help but wonder what Gardner would propose in Washington today.