How to Help Divergent Interest to Converge

How to Help Divergent Interest to Converge

Over the course of the last few weeks I have been introduced to a think tank in Washington DC that addresses major policy issues looking at long term relationships to address some of the most complex issues of our time.  This group is nonpartisan.  The group is the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution.  It was my pleasure to speak with Robert Fersh the President and Founder of this organization.   He shared with me two articles that I want to share with you, but first I want to share some elements from their home page. These are:

Their mission:

We convene people and groups with conflicting views to build trust, identify solutions, and form alliances for action on critical national issues.

Their approach:

Leaders and doers with passionate points of view
+
Dialogue leading to action
=
Wise and durable solutions

Their Impact:

• Bipartisan federal and state legislation
• Public/private partnerships
• Civil society and business partnerships
• Public education and awareness campaigns
• Changes in philanthropic priorities

I am impressed with what they do and how they do it.  We can all take a page out of their mission and approach regarding conflicts in our lives as well.  As a person passionate on the topic of conflict resolution I am totally on board with how they are approaching complicated issues.

The two articles sent to me by Robert Fersh are:

The Art of Getting Opponents to We” by David Bornstein in the New York Times November 3, 2015 and the other is “From Stalemate to Solutions” by  Karen Abrams Gerber and Andrea Jacobs in the Stanford Social Innovation Review” April 26, 2016.  Having read each this morning to start my day, I was impressed enough with each that I decided to simply blog this today so that you too could have the opportunity to read these excellent commentaries on conflict resolution.

I also need to apologize to those looking for my new book Peaceful Resolutions.  It turns out that Amazon cannot keep the book in stock, so my publisher made the book available at the link below for $40 compared to Amazon Prime at $75 so that you can receive the book right away.  I apologize for any confusion and any frustration on your part.

Michael Gregory, ASA, CVA, MBA is an expert in conflict resolution dedicated to making thought-leading entrepreneurs and executives more successful. Michael’s books, including his NEW BOOK Peaceful Resolutions: A 60-step illustrated guide to conflict resolution are available at http://mikegreg.com/books.   Free resources are available online at www.mikegreg.com. Check out the blog.  Contact Mike directly at mg@mikegreg.com or call (651) 633-5311. 

About the author

Mike Gregory is a professional speaker, an author, and a mediator. You may contact Mike directly at mg@mikegreg.com and at (651) 633-5311. Mike has written 12 books (and co-authored two others) including his latest book, The Collaboration Effect: Overcoming Your Conflicts, and The Servant Manager, Business Valuations and the IRS, and Peaceful Resolutions that you may find helpful. [Michael Gregory, ASA, CVA, MBA, Qualified Mediator with the Minnesota Supreme Court]