Life Skills and Leadership Manual - Peace Corps

Life Skills & Leadership: Unit 2, Session 7: Looking at Conflict | Page 110 of 127

the learning space if you agree with the position in the first topic. Move to the right if you disagree

with that topic.”

4. Allow a moment for people to choose and move. Hopefully the two sides are about equal in number so
   people can make a pair or group of three with people from both sides in it. A group of four with a 3:1
   ratio is about the greatest difference between sides of an issue that you should attempt. If there are
   only a few participants on one side of the issue, choose a different issue.


5. Divide participants into groups of no more than four with people from both sides of the issue in each.
   Say:

“In your small group, have a conversation about the issue. Do not try to convince anyone to change

her or his mind or to agree with your point of view. Instead, ask the people who have a view

opposite yours to explain what their interests are. Listen and try to hear what they really care about

deep down. Also, share your own interests. Try not to use words like ‘should,’ ‘must,’ or ‘ought to’

since those usually signal a position. See if you can use the word ‘want’ instead. I’ll give you about

three minutes.”

6. When the time is up, ask participants from one point of view to restate the interests of the opposing
   point of view. Invite people from the opposite point of view to do likewise. Ask:

“What ideas were new to you?

What surprised you about the interests of the other group?

What new solutions are suggested by what you heard from the other group?”

7. Repeat steps 2-5 with one or two more issues, depending upon time.

B. Summary
Conclude the activity by saying:

“As you can see, the more you care about an issue, the more difficult it becomes to ask about and

listen to the interests of other people. But, when you can hear the interests that are important to

other people, you might be able to get past positions and discover solutions you didn’t expect. We

will talk more about ways to work better with individuals and groups when we meet next time to

learn about collaboration.”

V. Assessment (5 minutes)
Materials:
None

A. Shout it Out!
Participants demonstrate understanding of the day’s concepts.

1. Ask participants to remain in their last group of three or four. Set up the activity. Say: