Reaching Decisions

Yesterday I listened to Pres. Obama explain the breakdown in the debt ceiling talks. I then listened to the Speaker of the House Boehner explain how he viewed the situation. Needless to say, they both saw the situation from different vantage points.

Watching this situation unfold has reminded me of some important things we need to remember when addressing Esperanza issues:

• People view situations through their own "awareness wheel."


• People need to strive to first understand rather than to be understood.


• People need to stay focused on the issue rather than personalities (Insults and finger-pointing are completely inexcusable).


• People need to be aware of how decisions will affect people rather than stay married to a specific ideology.


• People need to focus on reaching a consensus (the Third Space!) that is a win-win rather than a compromise which could be win-lose.

We as the Esperanza leaders and educators need to set this kind of example for our Esperanza scholars.