To Compromise or Not?

Compromise only on minor matters

Is compromise a good way to address differences? What do you think? Is compromise good or bad? What are the merits of compromise as a way to reduce conflict?

In minor matters such as sharing a restaurant bill, research has shown that compromise can be a good option as it may help to smooth the way and lubricate the wheels of social interaction.

However, Max Bazerman, in the current issue (8:2 Feb 2005) of the Harvard Business School Newsletter, Negotiation, explains how compromise in major matters can lead to major disaster.

"Far too often, in an effort to make sure that all are included, we compromise on the content of a decision. But true respect for the opinions of others should mean that we can debate the merit of alternative actions and make a choice, rather than compromise on a plan that is logically confused."

Compromise may fail to address the major issue

Consider the crisis of the worldwide depletion of fish.

One viable solution could be to regulate and enforce reduced fishing of given species before they become seriously depleted.

An alternative solution would be to sell or allocate rights to parts of the ocean at costs that ensure that species stay at a sustainable level.

Bazerman points out that either plan could solve the crisis. But instead of "fight(ing) the tough battle between the(se) logical solutions", governments and fishing groups are more likely to compromise, thereby "slowing down the problem rather than solving it".

The hazards of compromise

• Compromise in major matters can shut off the opportunity to explore creative ways to expand the value of the pie.

• By settling for a series of ineffective measures, compromise can fail to address major concerns. If two alternative solutions are logically incompatible, then compromise will result in ineffective action.

• Compromise can lead to complete meltdown. Bazerman refers to the fall of Enron and Arthur Anderson that many experts have attributed in part to the obligation that the auditors felt to keep their client happy at all cost.

I found Bazerman's comments helpful and I hope this summary will give you something to think about in relation to some of your tough issues. Bazerman is co-author, with Michael Watkins, of Predictable Surprises: The Disasters You Should Have Seen Coming And How To Prevent Them published in 2004 by the Harvard Business School Press.

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