What went wrong?

Most of us are surprised when we become the focus of the anger that too often erupts in the community. “Where did all this resentment come from?” we ask ourselves. “I care about this community; I would never do anything that was bad for it.”

Truth is, each of us is blinded by our own passion as we work so hard to develop a new project or idea — or to question a project or idea that would damage our community. We often need the candid assistance of a community diplomat.

Why engage in community diplomacy?

• Brings about better solutions — not the lowest-common- denominator
  outcomes that so often result from rancorous conflict.
• Ensures impartial facilitation and mediation
• Avoids or reduces public acrimony, embarrassment, and adverse publicity
• Offers safe and, when requested, confidential conversation
• Sustains or restores relationships
• Reduces potential for litigation, which saves money
• Saves time — Taking time to collaborate on the front end avoids long delays
  on the back end
• Reduces stress
• Avoids your friends becoming your adversaries
• Avoids your adversaries becoming your enemies