Beyond Intractability: A Free Knowledge Base on More Constructive Approaches to Destructive Conflict
Introduction:
Sallyann Roth, co-founder of the Public Conversations Project,
suggests that facilitators should be aware of the gap between their
intentions and the actual effects. This will help them to become reconnected to the
dialogue or training process so that they can try again.
This rough transcript provides a text alternative to audio. We apologize for occasional errors and unintelligible sections (which are marked with ???).
The Gap Between Intentions and Effects
Sallyann Roth
Family Therapist, Trainer, and Co-Founder of the Public Conversations Project,
in Watertown, Massachusetts
Everything we do, whether
we are asking a question, or designing a conversational structure, we are always
planning. We want it to have certain effects. But the effects that we have and
the intentions that we have are never going to be exactly aligned. So another
piece that we try to get to in the training is to create a sense of mindfulness
about the gap between intentions and effects.
...
A responsible facilitator
is always mindful of the gap and always trying to reduce it and doesn't feel
awful when there is a gap. It's not that you've done something wrong mostly,
it's that you need to step back and get reconnected to try again. It becomes a
learning experience, as opposed to a failure experience.
Non-cooperation is a measure of discipline and sacrifice, and it demands respect for the opposite views. -- Mohandas K. Gandhi
Featured Links Organizations Making Noteworthy Contributions to Efforts to Promote More Constructive Conflict Worldwatch Institute
Other Resources from Beyond Intractability Peacebuilding Checklist: Adversaries A list of things to think about if you are involved in a difficult or damaging conflict.
The Beyond Intractability Knowledge Base Project Guy Burgess and Heidi Burgess, Co-Directors and Editors c/o Conflict Information Consortium(Formerly Conflict Research Consortium), University of Colorado Campus Box 580, Boulder, CO 80309 Phone: (303) 492-1635; Fax: (303) 492-2154; Contact
