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Section 6. Encouraging Involvement of Potential Opponents as Well as Allies

You understand reasons why you should want to involve an opponent:

___To remove or neutralize a potentially harmful critic

___To gain insight into the workings of your opponent

___To gain access to a group that has previously been closed to you

___To acquire new resources to solve a common problem

___To find common values and beliefs you didn't know were there

___To get to know your opponents as people

___To build a base of trust that might be helpful in to you in the future

___To help you make progress

___Because involving opponents can help you (and them) in unexpected ways

You understand when you should involve opponents:

___When the lines of communication are still relatively open, and you believe your opponent is willing to talk with you

___When you see common values and opportunities

___When the cost of getting involved with each other is not too great

You understand when you shouldn't involve your opponents:

___When there is a history of distrust or deception between you and your opponent

___When your respective positions are strongly held, deeply entrenched, and completely opposed to each other

___When your opponents are unwilling to talk with you

___When the time and energy costs in collaborating with your opponent would be too great

You understand how to involve opponents:

___You have decided that you want to involve them

___You have narrowed your targets

___You have clarified your goals

___You have made the commitment

___You have identified the stakeholders

___You have made contact with your opponent

___You have established ground rules

___You have set an agenda

___You have organized subgroups

___You have searched for information

___You have found a mediator

___You have involved other stakeholders

___You have held an exploratory meeting

___You have met again

___You understand the twelve "talking points"

___You have closed the deal

___You have sold the deal to your supporters, other stakeholders, and the general public

___You have structured the agreement

___You have monitored the agreement