WISE MEN COMPROMISE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23507, 18 November 1939, Page 8 (Supplement)

WISE MEN COMPROMISE

CERTAINLY one of the principles of efficiency ought to be: "Avoid ultimatums and approach every dispute with an inclination to compromise." Ultimatums have created quarrels, lawsuits, bankruptcies, Breaking of partnerships, strikes, lockouts and wars. An ultimatum followed by a threat —that is the method used by foolish, fanatical men. It has broken up many a home, many a business firm, many a nation. A man fancies himself as a strong man when he snvs—"All or nothing—this is my final word." But he is not strong. Ho is only untouchable and obstinate. Ho is only a pig-headed man. Not one of us, I dare say, is ever. 100 per cent right in any claim or opinion. No ononis ever as right as he thinks he is. It is always necessary to hear the other side, and to know that our point of view is not tho only .one. As we have seen in recent year. s !, a man who uses ultimatums and threats and violence can rise to be the Boss of his whole nation.

But this fact should not blind us to the truth that in the long run such methods aro sure to fail. No other nation, • except China, lias even one-third of the population of the British Empire. And how has the British Empire been created? Not by ultimatums, but by compromise. Britain has followed the policy of knowing when to yield—the policy of being reasonable That is why we can say that tho policy of compromising is 0116 of the principles of efficiency. In the past, it has given tho highest percentage of result. 1 ' Everyone of_ use, in our own small or large affairs, should adopt this British policy of compromising. An employer can adopt it when one of his managers expresses a contrary opinion. He can be wise enough to think and let think. A father can adopt it when lie is talking with his son. Fathers aro not always right and sons are not always wrong. No man can build up a strong organisation, nor a happy home either, unless he is receptive and tolerant, — unless he follows the wise policy of give and take. These are very hard words for me to write as I am by nature obstinate and autocratic, but I think that many others, as well as myself, need an article like this, at least once a year. , —From Efficiency Magazine