Teaching the Difference between Compromise and Collaboration through Trial and Error

Students often do not understand the difference between collaboration and compromise. Collaboration, also known as problem solving, an integrative solution, or a win-win solution is, ‘‘a strategy that involves seeking a mutually satisfactory alternative’’ (Pruitt & Kim, 2004, p. 297). Compromise, in contrast, is ‘‘an obvious alternative that stands partway between the disputants’ preferred positions’’ (p. 294) and, thus, is a lose-lose solution because neither disputant gains their desired outcome. Students may see compromise as an appropriate way to handle conflict because it may seem to be the safest problem-solution approach for maintaining relationships, easiest to work toward, least argumentative, and quickest to execute. In contrast, collaboration requires that participants brainstorm, problem solve constructively, and ‘‘think outside the box’’ during the deliberations necessary to pursue their goals successfully. By learning the difference between collaboration and compromise experientially through this ungraded in-class activity, students potentially gain the tools to achieve win-win results in their efforts to resolve conflicts and decision-making situations. Collaboration allows a person to navigate the innumerable voices, opinions, and options that are often a part of decision making.