One simple starting point for finding common ground during a conflict is to ask, “what if the others’ perspectives were true?”
When others tell you something that you don’t agree with, just suspend disbelief for a moment.
Imagine what it is to be like them.
Think, “what if the others’ perspectives are true.”
What would that mean to you?
What would that mean in the context of your shared interests?
How would that change your perspective on your own opinion?
Putting yourself in the other person’s shoes can help you identify how they’re feeling and why they’re feeling that way. This makes it easier to take the big vital step: treating them with empathy and compassion. Suddenly, the conflict is less personal—it’s not about you or them.
Idea for Impact: We human beings are not transformed as much by statistics and facts as we are by stories. When there are two alternative viewpoints of one story, being open-minded, listening honestly, and identifying the other through their stories could be really transformative. It changes the conversation. It helps you move forward and seek solutions that are favorable to both sides.
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