What can we do when negotiations to account for different goals leave both parts feeling disappointed and resentful of accommodating the other?
My first thought as I read your question was that it sounds like you’ve arrived at a good point. The old saying goes that in a good compromise, no one is happy. That’s because everyone gets some of what they want, but not all of it or as much as they want. So in this sense, it does sound like you’re finding middle ground.
But I didn’t want to just leave it there. You describe both parties feeling resentful and disappointed. If I could sit and talk with both parties, I would ask them this: “Have you both identified the underlying want, need, value, or desired outcome of your position?” Let’s use an example.
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