Seeking Resolution

None of us need to be reminder that these are tough times in which we live. Far too many people are out of work. Jobs are hard to come by. Money is tight. To add to that, there seems to be far too much fear-mongering, misinformation and name calling that is filling the public air waves. People are understandably angry and without direction and many of those to whom they look for guidance, hope and solutions seem more interested in saving or bettering their own hides than the hides of the people who they were elected, appointed or hired to serve. No wonder so many citizens are nervous, frustrated and disillusioned. No wonder many people feel cynical, isolated and pessimistic. What's a communicator to do?

The overriding answer is for communicators to devote their energies and skills toward identifying common denominators that link the various points of view currently being expressed. Putting aside all the emotion, yelling and knee-jerk reactionary commentary, there are several powerful issues on which conservatives and liberals seek the same bottom-line goal. These include limited government, low unemployment, low national debt, and a strong national infrastructure. (No, I'm not kidding about any of these.) But the problem is our leaders seem to be putting their own agendas ahead of the nation's. People with good communication skills, such as conflict resolution experts, can help turn that around. Unfortunately, elections - at least lately - seem to bring out the worst in people - leaders and their supporters - rather than the best. By addressing these and other issues from a prospective of working toward the greater good, proponents of the right and the left really can work together. One model of public relations that was introduced over 25 years is relevant here. It is called "two-way symmetrical." It focuses on the establishment of partnership and identifying strategies by which to address common shared or problems.

The challenges our nation faces are not going to go away by themselves. The reality is it is going to take a coming together of many people with different perspectives and priorities, yet who share the common overriding goal of wanting to turn our dark days of the present into bright days of tomorrow. Reality dictates that if our nation's current set of challenges are to be properly addressed, then people are going to have to sit down at the same table and begin honest and respectful collaboration. If not, then the tough times facing us are going to have an awfully long shelf life.