The questions below may help groups come to agreement regarding compromise. There are probably some points at which no one will agree to compromise, and these should be clearly recognized and stated. Advocates must sometimes set priorities and decide what they can give up to achieve the greatest good. The possibility of compromise may lead to difficult discussions, especially if some members feel their priorities are being ignored. Compromise can breed disagreement among allies.
Strong leadership is key to reaching consensus.
Once compromise has been agreed on, advocates must determine the shape and extent of the compromise they can accept. Advocates should consider both the best possible and other acceptable outcomes. If the goal is to ensure a policy that makes contraceptive methods available to adolescents in a particular town, advocates will need to consider what to do if there is resistance from local service providers. Advancing in small steps is not compromising when it is clear that this is the best strategy to advance the issue. For example, if the goal is to introduce reproductive health education into the schools for all students over ten years old, a network may help by promoting reproductive health education for students ages 15 to 19.