They Wouldn't Compromise. Why Would
You?
5 Tips to Understanding Negotiating vs
Compromise
By Del Albright, Sustainable Motorized Recreation Advocate
Our
forefathers did not want to compromise our liberties. They didn't want our
country founded on compromise. To compromise means to give up something.
In their
case, they were building something, not giving up something (other than
oppression). But if you're new to land use and access battles, then the idea of
compromise might have a significantly different meaning to you.
Often, I hear
from two very different sides of the fence. One side says never compromise…it
only means we lost something in the process – and we've lost too much as it is.
The other side says we must compromise in order to gain ground – that it's only
fair to play the give-and-take game.
If you're
negotiating for a look-alike Rolex in a third-world country, you might
experience compromise at its best. The seller starts pretty high, and you
counter really low. You "compromise" in the middle somewhere, most
likely close to where you both wanted to be in the first place. It's built into
the process. We expect it to go down that way. But is this how our access
should be negotiated?
Let's look at
this from the perspective of no compromise. If the "hacker of fine
wanna-be Rolex's" sets a price that we don't want to pay, we are left with
two choices – take it or leave it. So, is this how our access should be
negotiated?
After thirty-five
years of doing this land use and access stuff, I find myself wanting to
compromise less and less. Oh, I still do it, alright. I just do it less and
less. And for sure I like it less and less.
I look at the
picture of our forefathers who built this country, and I don't see a lot of
compromise in what they set out to do. Nowadays, our local, state, and federal
agencies are completely focused on finding compromise (with us and those who
oppose us). So, just how should we negotiate our access?
Don Amador, a
30-year veteran of many land-use battles, including some important victories,
states, "Over time, I have adopted the concept of strategic or principled
compromise or collaboration as an effective tool to help ensure that current
and future generations of off-roaders have access to high-quality OHV
recreational experiences."
"Strategic
compromise takes a hard look at relevant factors such as political realities,
rules/regulations, engaged or commitment level of local users, agency
leadership/staff capacity, potential litigation, and ways to create a 'win' for
those project opponents,"
Amador
continues.
"I think
it also helps OHV leadership to understand that 'ALL OHV TRAIL DECISIONS ARE
POLITICAL DECISIONS.' And that science, hard data, soil surveys, and other
environmental or economic studies often have nothing to do with what decision
is made."
Amador
continues.
"Acquiring
and keeping a seat at the land use table where you show your commitment to key
OHV stakeholders for ongoing management and planning activities is highly
effective and is the best way for you to promote and protect your access to
sustainable motorized recreation on public lands," Amador concludes.
I am here to
tell you it's time for less compromise for compromise's sake. Politicians make
a living by slinging compromise – that is what they do. Let's not get too mad
at them for that; heck, it's their job.
Along those
same lines, agency bureaucrats go to extensive training sessions to learn the
art of compromise. I suppose we should not blame them either, as they always
have a dozen different interests pulling at them. So, who is left to blame for
compromises that leave us holding the bag? Us? I think so.
If you're
reading this thinking, "Boy, Del, you're sending a mixed message,"
then you're right. I am. I say when you have a good politician or a good agency
bureaucrat who is trying to make things fair by offering compromises to several
different sides, then work with them. Find some compromise you can live with.
Learn to compromise smartly in this case.
On the other
hand, find your line in the sand. Define your fundamental principles. Do not
compromise them. Hold firm. But also remember this – your "holding" position
is only as strong as your ability to hold it.
You can quack
all day long and threaten all sorts of things, but if you don't have the
membership and money to back your play, then, well, I hate to say it, but you're
just another duck in the noisy pond!
This leads me
to my best advice for this dilemma.
First, after you define your principles
(line in the sand), figure out your real room for negotiating. Include a
list of things you want to gain -- not just those things you're willing to give
up. Far too often, volunteer groups go into negotiating sessions with agency
folks and radical protectionists, thinking only of what they might have to give
up. Learn to think in terms of wins and gains as starting points.
Second: clearly articulate the consequences
of your choices – what will happen with each choice you face. It's
important to face the reality and consequences of your choices before you make
them if you want to be successful in the long run.
Third: objectively analyze what you can
really live with and what is best for the cause.
Fourth: ascertain just how much clout
(membership and money) you really have at your disposal. It's almost like
playing poker; there are only so many hands you can win with bluffing and
bluster. Real clout and real wins come from a strong support base.
Fifth: build support for the plan of action
you choose and make it happen! If your support base is not strong enough, then
build it up.
Our
forefathers did their form of compromising – they compromised amongst
themselves and their constituents. They had to build this country in a
democratic-republic fashion. However, they clearly did not compromise
with their fundamental principles, and I think that is where we need to land
more often.
I suggest
that your job is to figure out where you fit in these battles and where you stand
on the idea of compromise, then make sure you help those efforts that make
sense to you.
Whatever you
do, don't compromise your rights away by not even being in the game.
##
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