When Did Compromising Go Out of Fashion?
As I write this blog, terrible wars are going on in Ukraine and the Middle East, virtually every country has enemies that with whom they have no diplomatic relations, politics are more polarized than ever, and even the party that has the majority in the House of Representatives hasn’t been able to agree on a speaker. Even on the streets of our cities, an argument or a failure to yield the right of way in traffic can lead to violence. Under these circumstances, it’s reasonable to ask, “What ever happened to the idea of compromise.”
I’m not the kind of old guy who says that everything about the old days was better. Modern science, modern Technology, and modern medicine enable us to lead healthier, more comfortable, more productive, and more educated lives. I do believe, however, that people were more willing to pull together in more ways fin the past or the general good of society by utilizing such basic skills as sharing, compromising, and coming to a consensus.
Those things are still done today, but it isn’t as universal, and it isn’t generally being demonstrated by appropriate role-modeling in government and other leadership situations. But that doesn’t have to determine how we are going to behave. Interestingly, one of the places where you can see positive behavior often (but not always) being modeled is in the field of sports. Have you noticed how many championship teams in recent years have been really likeable? Some of the most elite athletes in the world subjugate personal goals for the greater mutual goal of winning a championship. Also, some businesses with enlightened leadership have introduced cultures that aren’t cut-throat, but are supportive and recognize that the greater good is served when people pull together (even though some know that they may compete with each other when the next opportunity for promotion opens up).
If your job or the TV news channel that you watch encourages an “us against them” way of thinking, it is important to recognize that there generally are at least two sides to an issue, and most people are not too hard-headed to compromise if an opportunity to seek compromise is offered to them. But it has to start with someone being willing to create the atmosphere and conditions to encourage compromise to take place. Let’s be that person!
