Solving Tough Problems: An Open Way of Talking, Listening, and Creating New Realities

Interesting case descriptions very inspiring. Not a fast read, should be read contemplated and pondered on.Thanks for writing this book!

He provides an eye-opening definition of real collaboration, with many examples. He certainly proves the real power of open dialogue and sincere listening, as well as showing the inevitable failure when we do not truly yield ourselves to a sincere dialogue."Collaboration" and "Dialogue" are certainly buzzwords these days, and there is much form in that regard, but not as much substance as we need. That is, there is much pretending in the way of "collaboration" and "listening" to the opinions of others, but in reality the "listening" is a show. His discussion of "listening" throughout this book, what it is and what it is not, is the bright spot in my opinion. There is a false way of listening that may appear as sincere as the real, but it's not, and it's not helpful. I also really like his statement that "The root of not listening is knowing.", or thinking you know. I can't count the number of times I have seen this happen, and how many times I have been guilty of it myself. When you think you know, you stop seeking and you are incapable of seeing the truth, even when it is right in front of you. It is self-deception of the highest order. "Being and expert is a severe impediment to listening and learning."He shows the prerequisites for a successful collaboration and the astounding results that can be achieved. He advocates convincingly for a new approach to the toughest problems we face. I have been seeing this approach emphasized in other items I have been reading as well.It was not his purpose, but I can't help but wish he would given us more technical details on his scenario building work, as well as more details on how to structure and facilitate the "dialogue" meetings he advocates. Don't let the use of the phrase "new realities" make you pause, it is not an expression of naive idealism, rather, it is his way of saying what can be achieved versus the ineveitable failure we have and will experience if we keep using the same failed approaches we have always used. You can't accuse him of being naive and unrealistic when everything he discusses is documented reality and in which he was a direct participant.As I said, he accomplished his purpose with flying colors, I just wish his purpose was a little broader.

Adam Kahane articulates very effectively the means to cultivate meaningful dialogue among even the most diverse of people. The take away points can be applied in nearly any social setting.The author illustrates these points by recounting his actual experiences initially at a university setting, then a large corporation, and then pursuing his passion as facilitator in conflict ridden countries. The most profound lessons to be learned can be seen in South Africa when moving from an apartheid culture to an open culture. His insights and principles are in line with some of our greatest thinkers. HowCreating effective dialogue is far more difficult than it sounds. But it is possible. I’m inspired to apply what I’ve learned on a much smaller scale, my own community hospital.In summary, this is one of the best books I’ve ever read.

I'm a South African, it hit home. The struggles continue in the boardrooms as we still try to find each other not only across colour lines but importantly across and within ourselves simply as humans.

I found this book very informative about the approaches being used around the world to attempt to solve really tough problems, but lacking in every day business and family application.

This book is worth reading and provides an interesting approach to problem-solving. It is mainly a story about how the author worked with groups of people at odds with each other to solve problems. I would have liked more precise information on problem analysis and solutions.

The author uses great illustrations and stories to engage the reader, but more importantly they bring the principles the author is alluding to to life in very practical ways. This is a quality read that is a rue page turner and dives deep into the issues social conflict, providing strategies to create a better world.

Really talks about the difficulty and benefits of stretching to understand another's entrenched views and come to a much understanding of each's issues.

This guy works with Joseph Jaworski, who established the American Leadership Forum and is author of "Synchronicity:the inner path of leadership", one of my "top 10" books.Kahane describes how he worked with major Governments and leaders to attempt to resolve some of the toughest conflicts in the world: South Africa, Paraguay, Basques, Guatemala, Columbia and Argentina. I was interested to read about his relative failure in some places (notably with the Basques) and success in others (notably South Africa and Argentina).He describes problems being tough because they are complex across three dimensions: dynamic complexity, generative complexity and social complexity.Dynamic complexity arises if the cause and effect are far apart in terms of space and time. Generative complexity is high when the future is unfamiliar and unpredictable. Social complexity is high when those involved do not share the same assumptions, values, rationales and objectives.He concludes that two components are required to make progress: the ability to talk and the ability to listen.In his experience of trying to resolve some of the fundamental issues in Canada, for example, he found that the parties weren't really talking - just being polite with each other and not opening up. In the case of the Basques, they weren't truly listening and empathising with each other.However, in Argentina, not only were they talking - but they were also truly listening: and in the aftermath of the country's collapse in 2001, remarkable progress was made (in the reform of the judiciary) through the dialogue that he initiated.However, his definition of talking and listening goes beyond what we may think of. He describes 4 different ways of talking and listening:The first way is "downloading": saying what we always say and not listening at all.The second way of listening is debating: listening fairly and objectively.The third way is talking and listening with empathy, subjectively, from the heart: reflective dialogue.The fourth way, is "generative dialogue", wherein there is a "communion" between those involved to truly understand that they are radically connected.Some very useful learning, in my opinion.

Very good

OK EXCELLENT

Some will object about this book, they will say it is just a "warm fuzzy" with nothing practical in it. They will have missed the point. They want the world to be simple. Do "A" get "B" and "C" will follow that. They want to define themselves as the center of their universe, they want to control their universe. However business and the world don't work that way they are emergent. When you have several parties who want control and believe they have control you get stuck. This all about becoming unstuck, it is not about executing more control which does not work in complex emergent situations. There is another way and it is defined in these pages. No maps included.

Kahane has emerged as a world class foresight practitioner. This is a core text for anyone who wants to be a foresight practitioner and group facilitator.