Encourage people whose opinions appear to be in the minority to speak out by listening to what they have to say and setting ground rules for discussion. What looks like an easy decision at first glance may turn out to be very complicated and time consuming, with numerous important details. The information needs associated with evaluating various options may be quite large, and it may be necessary to form working groups to do research or to seek out neutral experts who can give objective advice. See the Dam and River Ecosystems Basics module for more information on this topic. Keep discussions focused on interests.
Interests are the concerns, desires, and fears that underlie a person's stated position.
Various types of interests are discussed in the Choosing a decision-making method section of this module, but for now keep in mind that negotiating about how to best accommodate people s concerns is less costly and more satisfactory than negotiating about who is most right, or about which stakeholder has the most power. Select and implement an appropriate decision-making method. The likelihood that disagreements will be solved in a constructive manner can depend just as much or more on choosing an appropriate decision-making method as on the substance of the issues. Throughout the decision-making process, assess the degree to which stakeholders who are in disagreement are able to work together. If relationships are fragile or animosity escalates, consider bringing in a neutral third party to help manage discussions.