Victoria Simmons Center for Collaborative Solutions

By the end of this training you will be able to ◦ Define the principle elements and methods of interest-based problem solving/negotiations. ◦ Experience the use of interest-based problem solving/negotiations ◦ Understand and appreciate the benefits of collaborative problem solving/negotiations.

Check In o How are you? o Are you here for the duration? o If you could invite one person (past, present, animated, etc) to a dinner party, who would you invite and why Logistics o Lunch and Breaks Agenda for today’s Training

Champion Chocolate Plants  Ones = Milwaukee  Twos = Denver  Threes = Houston  Fours=Baltimore  Find your city plant and coworkers

Champion Chocolate Profit Schedule Fares and Profits or Losses for Each Combination CompanyCompanyCompanyCompany CombinationFareP/LFareP/LFareP/LFareP/L 1$30-$100,000$30-$100,000$30-$100,000$30-$100,000 2$30$100,000$30$100,000$30$100,000$40-$300,000 3$30$200,000$30$200,000$40-$200,000$40-$200,000 4$30$300,000$40-$100,000$40-$100,000$40-$100,000 5$40$100,000$40$100,000$40$100,000$40$100,000

You defect You cooperate I defect You lose I lose I benefit You lose big I cooperate You benefit I lose big You benefit I benefit

Are You Autonomous or Inherently Interdependent? Views of Self- Interest AutonomousInterdependent

1. DESCRIBE the problem (tell the story) 2. IDENTIFY stakeholders & their interests. 3. CREATE options. 4. EVALUATE options against stakeholder interests. 5. COMMIT to solutions. 6. AGREE on a plan of action.

 Not Personalities but ISSUES  Not Positions but INTERESTS  Not Proposals but OPTIONS

 Better Late Than Never!

1. Describe the Problem/Tell the story  Questions for telling the story: ◦ What about the current situation is working or not working? ◦ What assumptions are being made? ◦ What is causing these results? 2. Agree on the issue(s) to discuss and frame the issue as an open-ended question o How can we….what should we

1. Identify stakeholders: ◦ Who will be affected by the problem? ◦ Who will be affected by the solution? 2. Identify interests: ◦ Interests are the underlying motivation for what you want: needs, desires, concerns ◦ Interests answer the question "Why?“

 Process: ◦ Identify yours and other stakeholders’ interests ◦ Check your assumptions ◦ Look for deeper interests. Ask several “why’s” ◦ Explore what interests are separate, mutual or interdependent ◦ Accept and acknowledge those interests you do not share as being valid

So, does anyone else feel that their needs aren’t being met?

Options are:  Possible solutions that take into consideration the interests of all parties  Future oriented and answer the question “How?”

Process:  Separate inventing from judging  Use free-flowing brainstorming  No criticism or evaluation  No one owns any option

An early experiment in transportation

◦ Solving the wrong problem ◦ Stating the problem so it can’t be solved ◦ Solving a solution ◦ Stating problems too generally ◦ Trying to get agreement on the solution before there is agreement on the problem.

Thumbs Up!

 No agreement until all agree  Agree when you can live with the solution  If you cannot agree: ◦ Explain what interests are not being met ◦ Seek to understand others' interests ◦ Offer alternative solution(s)

 Questions to Ask ◦ What about this solution is unacceptable? ◦ What concerns you? ◦ What needs of yours are not getting met? ◦ What change would make it acceptable? ◦ What alternative solution would meet both your and others’ needs?

 Thumbs Up – I think this option adequately meets all my interests  Thumbs sideways – I think this option might work because it may meet all interests, but I have concerns I need to discuss (Exception – in the final step it means “I can live with the decision or solution.”)  Thumbs down – I think this option does not meet the interests of the parties

 It’s Either Too Hot or Too Cold

1. Describe the Problem/Tell the story What’s working or not working? What assumptions are being made? How can we test the results? 2. Agree on the issue(s) to discuss and frame the issue in an open-ended question. (How…What…)

 Using a T Chart: 1. Identify the stakeholders Who is affected by the problem? Who could be affected by the solution? Pebble in a pond 2.Identify stakeholder interests. Interests answer the question, “Why?” 3. Check for shared interests. Note shared interests

 Create Options, Options, Options: Options are possible solutions. Options should be future oriented and answer the question “How?” Use brain storming. No criticism or evaluation. No one “owns” an option. Create at least 10 options

 Evaluate Options Clarify all items. Eliminate duplicate options. Cluster related ideas. Compare options to interests. Eliminate options if everyone agrees.

1. Commit to solution/s: Use consensus. Choose based on your evaluation. 2. Commit to an action plan. Determine roles and responsibilities and establish timelines (who, what, when, how). Set follow-up if necessary. Reduce to writing. Communicate to constituents. Be prepared to test your solutions(s) and revise.

Value: Norm: Behavior: Punctuality Be on Time I am on time when....

Value: Norm: Behavior: Honesty Tell the truth. I tell the truth except when...

 Stated Norms ◦ What we say we will do ◦ Our “talk”  Operative Norms ◦ What we actually do ◦ Our “walk”

1. Create relationship agreements ◦ Develop relationship agreements or ground rules together, ◦ Clarify what they mean, ◦ Decide by consensus.

2. Reflect on your agreements ◦ Use them, ◦ Change them if they are not working, ◦ Add new ones when needed, ◦ How to address if they are not being followed?

3. Surface relationship issues as they occur (elephants) ◦ Name the problem ◦ Describe the behavior & its impact ◦ Do not ascribe intent ◦ Develop or reaffirm ground rules; how to address the elephant?

“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, and working together is success.”  Henry Ford

Questions?????