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<br />Our challenge at all times is to find and act on the truth as a group. <br /> <br />Here are some suggestions. <br /> <br />A. Seek First to Understand through Active Listening <br /> <br />To combat the tendency and temptation to trade conclusions and per- <br />sonal criticism back and forth, try first to understand thoroughly the <br />person or persons and the situation before you. This requires active <br />listening. <br /> <br />Through active listening, we need to find and see the <br />underlying interests and needs of the other \,\OVe <br />person and not just passively receive their stated H Jo(J I?" <br />"position." We need to explore their feelings as ed~' '\ . 0' <br />well as their thoughts about the situation. We need i' <br />to understand what specifically they would have us do right now to <br />resolve the situation and why. <br /> <br /> <br />We need to do the same for ourselves. What are our underlying in- <br />terests and needs in this situation? What are we feeling as well as <br />thinking about the issue? What would we have the Councilor our <br />Commission or our fellow staff members do right now to resolve the <br />issue before us, and why? <br /> <br />B. Check Your Understanding and Gain Clarity by Paraphrasing <br />and Asking Reflecting Questions <br /> <br />As you listen to someone, stop him or her at convenient breaking <br />points and check your understanding. If you are speaking, pause oc- <br />casionally to allow the listener to ask clarifying questions. Genuine, <br />interactive conversation is far more effective in solving problems than <br />delivering speeches to one another. <br /> <br />21 <br />