Compromise is at the heart of the democratic process. So, when do you compromise? Some will say that compromise is caving in, and so one should never do it. Others will say that it is meeting in the middle, and that it needs to be one’s aim for the sake of the common good of all. If it is the latter, when does a politician compromise? What is acceptable?
This is especially difficult for politicians, who have responsibilities to honor their constituencies, their political parties, and their own personal principles. What happens when these three spheres collide? It’s not so easy to decide which to favor.
Going closer to home, compromise and collaboration are at the heart of the life process or cycle in relationships. How do you discern when and how to compromise and collaborate in your personal relationships with people, such as with spouses, children, friends, superiors, and colleagues? The art of negotiation is the art of navigating life. Those who don’t know how to negotiate often die early and alone or trample others under their feet on their way to becoming kings and queens of the hill. So, whether we are talking about Capitol Hill or the hills of everyday life, we need to know which hills to die on. We only get one shot at life in my estimation, so we had better know which hills really matter to us. I’m still learning. How about you?
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In