Comments on: Finding Middle Ground

By: Finding Common Ground When You Know You’re Right David Maxfield | CURTIS HAMILTON

Thu, 24 Jan 2013 05:12:32 +0000

[…] Finding Middle Ground […]

By: Finding Common Ground When You Know You’re Right | CURTIS HAMILTON

Finding Common Ground When You Know You’re Right | CURTIS HAMILTON — Sun, 20 Jan 2013 22:05:25 +0000

[…] Finding Middle Ground […]

By: Finding the smarter ground: @josephgrenny political discussions don’t have to be hostile. | A PowerPhrase a Week

Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:36:04 +0000

[…] however. The questioner observes that there is no middle ground and Grenny titles the post “finding the middle ground.” It not a middle ground we’re looking for, it’s clearer ground. I love the way Grenny […]

By: Meryl Runion

Meryl Runion — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:11:40 +0000

One observation I would make here that I missed in my previous comment. I wouldn’t title this “finding the middle ground.” It sound like the word compromise – where two sides concede – as opposed to synergy where they engage and create something different and new.

By: Meryl Runion

Meryl Runion — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 22:02:33 +0000

Excellent post. I love the concreteness of the example. You always have a marvelous way of tying experience and principle together.

What strikes me most in this is that this kind of guidance is so rare! I wrote a book called Unite and Concur: How to Stop Arguing and Start Communicating About Politics before the last election just so I could learn to manage this kind of conversation without getting riled or stunned into silence. I didn’t see much out there of this caliber. If I rework my book, your approach will influence my revision.

By: paul

paul — Sun, 04 Jul 2010 03:29:35 +0000

how was he able to turn around and face you…while driving the cab?

By: Frank

Frank — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:43:48 +0000

Thank you for this article. I will try some of this where I can in some of my future conversations. One thing that I would like to see some ideas on, is how to handle conversations with individuals that are mentally unstable. I work with individuals of this type, who tend to “light off” when they are disagreed with or are very unhappy with what they are hearing. I have found over the years that fruitful dialogue is usually not possible. When you try to draw them into dialogue, they often take a “left turn” and just “jump topic” to something they feel they can win with. I end up just listening until they burn out or the phone rings, etc. I am not a person that backs away from confrontation, but a few will turn to physical violence quickly, so they are best handled with kid gloves.

I’m ready for any and all ideas!

By: Worker Bee

Worker Bee — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 23:19:07 +0000

I always look forward to my e-mails on Crucial Skills. This one in particular is very meaningful in so many ways. The responses are also insightful. My husband knew about Crucial Conversations before I did and now I know he has used these exact tools on some of our hot-button issues in our marriage. I believe federal, international and quite honestly, all individuals should use the tools in everyday interactions with each other (and read your books as well). I agree–this one is a keeper and I am going to try it on some of my political-discussing friends where the trend is to brow-beat for an agreement with their point of view or not engage at all. Excellent work!

By: John Geraghty

John Geraghty — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 18:08:40 +0000

Joseph,
I was having these exact thoughts yesterday as it seems a huge national initiative (Afghan war) is at greater risk because people were ineffectively communicating with one another, and so felt the need to speak about, rather than to the parties with whom they had disagreement. Until we move off this demagogue vs. dialogue model we seem to have embraced, we will not achieve anything of consequence. While we are still more interested in making others wrong than finding solutions, that is what we will continue to create.
Living on purpose!
John

By: Derek

Derek — Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:20:18 +0000

This newsletter is interesting and useful but seldom impresses me and teaches me as much as the book. This particular response did. Thank You!