May the 4th recently passed, a date playfully known as “Star Wars Day” thanks to the similar sound of “May the fourth be with you” and the iconic “May the Force be with you.” As many of you know, I enjoy using pop culture to illustrate conflict resolution concepts. Star Wars offers a fantastic lens through which to examine the difference between negotiating solely on positions versus exploring underlying interests and even values and needs. (For a refresher on positions vs. interests, check out this blog post).
A classic example appears in Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope. Luke Skywalker and Han Solo, predictably, find themselves at odds on the Death Star regarding Princess Leia’s rescue. Their initial positions were firmly set:
Luke: We have to rescue her!
Han: It’s safer if we stay put!
Luke’s attempts to persuade Han based on his position went nowhere. However, when Luke considered Han’s motivations, specifically his interest in financial gain, he mentioned the princess’s wealth and the potential reward. Appealing to this underlying interest worked!
Even the central conflict of the entire Star Wars saga – the battle between the light and dark sides of the Force – represents two entrenched positions. The characters’ underlying interests, values, and needs drive their allegiance to either side, and sometimes even cause them to switch. For fellow Star Wars enthusiasts, I encourage you to rewatch the movies with this perspective in mind and see what you observe. (You might notice that when you delve into interests and values, they often align or are very similar). It prompts the question: if the characters had focused more on discussing their underlying interests rather than rigidly adhering to the “light” or “dark” side, could there have been more balance in the galaxy? Perhaps, though it might have made for a less dramatic story for us viewers!
We can draw valuable parallels to our professional lives. How often do we debate what should happen or how a project should be done without first understanding everyone’s underlying interests and needs? While it might seem like extra effort initially, taking the time to explore these deeper motivations can ultimately save time and energy. The resulting path forward is more likely to gain broader support and lead to greater success because it addresses what truly matters to everyone involved. For more great connections between conflict resolution and Star Wars, check out this book that applies conflict resolution theory to the Star Wars stories and characters we all know and love!
By: Teresa Ralicki, Sr. Ombuds Lead at Pinterest, founder of Ombuds Institute, and Co-Editor of Ombuzz