Regardless of your political opinions, it is tough to deny the rising climate and tension in our society. It seems as if verbal conflict, and sometimes physical violence, has become an accepted way to resolve disputes. As Collaborative Professionals we have been trained, and often preach, about the need to separate our emotions during high-conflict moments and to listen to the other side. Now more than ever, we must share these skills with the world!

As we head into the holiday season, I encourage everyone to take some time and reflect upon the skills you have acquired as a Collaborative Professional and how you can implement these skills into your everyday life and share them with our society. One of the staples of the Collaborative Process is interest-based negotiations and listening to the outcome each side is most interested in reaching. It is far too often that discussion and disagreement turn to insult and disrespect, and just like in family law, this is a societal trend we must change.

So regardless of your personal beliefs or the ability to hold on to past transgressions, I believe it is our job and responsibility to implement our Collaborative Process skills and training into everyday life. Just like in the Collaborative Process let's stop and think about if our actions will produce the best outcome for the situation we are in, or is there a less adversarial and more compassionate way to go about solving our difference? If we stop, talk, and listen to what the interests of all sides are and separate our emotions from the situation, I think we will realize we are a lot more alike than we are different.