From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems

"Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison have offered in From Conflict to Convergence a remarkable gift and powerful tool to help people of good faith and deep difference work collaboratively towards breakthrough solutions to thorny problems. Knowing that "the actual proves the possible," they offer story-driven insights around the work they have pioneered in facilitating transformative new approaches to a variety of policy challenges, and offer readers both hope and a strategy for becoming collaborative, trust-building problem solvers in their own spheres of influence." --Cherie Harder, President, The Trinity Forum

"Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison have provided a critical and practical guide on how to renew our democracy. Our forefathers designed a system of governing that is dependent on leadership, collaboration, and consensus. Unfortunately, because of deep political polarization, our nation has lost the ability to solve problems effectively. This book is an essential antidote to gridlock and dysfunction. It is intended to inspire people in the various sectors of our society to get back to the job of building trust, relationships, and consensus in order to save our democracy. Like the authors, I have experienced Washington at its best. We know what works. The lessons are in this book." --Leon E. Panetta, Former Secretary of Defense

"Nothing could be more needed in these conflicted times than the practice of collaborative problem-solving. In this eminently practical guide, based on decades of successful experience organizing dialogues on charged public issues, Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison present a series of valuable lessons illustrated with powerful and inspiring stories. Highly recommended!" --William Ury, Co-author, Getting to Yes; Author, Possible: How We Survive (and Thrive) in this Age of Conflict

"Democracy requires hard work, moderation, compromise, self-discipline, and, most importantly, a shared respect for the thoughts and lives of all of us. What happens to our republic if we cannot genuinely talk to or listen to each other, if we do not respect each other, if we will not fairly consider the thoughts of each other, if we cannot reason with each other, and, ultimately, if we do not trust each other? The inescapable answer is that we will not long live in freedom and into the abyss will stride the ghost of tyranny.

From Conflict to Convergence sheds light on another path to the future: one that recalls the values and virtues of our democracy as it guides us through collaborative problem-solving on contentious policy issues to the creation of solutions of mutual gain serving the larger public good. In these troubling times of tumult and turmoil, nothing could be better than that!" --Marc Racicot, former Governor of Montana; former Chairman, Republican National Committee

"Brimming with expertise, realistic hope, and practical strategies for engaging in the collaborative problem-solving we sorely need today. The breadth of the authors' experiences with different groups and issues is astonishing. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned pro at group problem-solving, there is something important for you in this beautifully written book." --William J. Doherty, PhD, Professor, University of Minnesota; Cofounder of Braver Angels

"The authors offer tested and proven strategies for necessary but difficult work. They understand that attending to relationships and developing trust are the core of collaborative problem-solving. This is, ultimately, a book about leadership." --Becky Pringle, President, National Education Association

"Helping others cooperate across their differences is essential to the strength of our diverse democracy, and this book will teach you how to be the kind of leader who can do just that. Written by two stars in the field, with clear frameworks and compelling stories, it is an essential text for our polarized times." --Eboo Patel, Founder and President, Interfaith America; Author of We Need to Build: Field Notes for Diverse Democracy

"Often, it can feel like our problems are intractable, made worse when there's a tendency to be more wired for conflict than for collaboration, more inclined toward political bickering than for progress. Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison demonstrate that it doesn't need to be that way. Not only do they explain why overcoming division is vital to solving problems, but they help readers understand why they need the mindset--the will--for constructive engagement as well as the building blocks and process--the skills--to move forward productively. Their hopeful, well-written, and engaging book provides a roadmap for anyone with an appetite for collaborative problem-solving." --Congressman Derek Kilmer

"Conflict is all around us and cripples our urgent efforts to respond to urgent threats to our climate and communities. This book uniquely combines research on collaborative responses to the problems of the commons with practical mindsets, skills, and tools to practice collaborative problem-solving in a wide array of settings. Strongly recommended for instructors committed to using real-world applications of effective collective problem-solving." --Lawrence R. Jacobs, Director, Center for the Study of Politics and Governance, University of Minnesota

"If you have thrown up your hands and decided there's no way to talk to--let alone understand--'the other,' don't give up just yet. There is a path forward and it's in this book. Insightful, easy to read, and packed with memorable stories, From Conflict to Convergence shows the authors' advice in action and inspires you to give it a try yourself. The perfect book at the perfect time to show us how to resolve our differences with respect for each other's humanity." --Linda Lorelle, Journalist and Entrepreneur; Host of Our Voices Matter Podcast

"In this much-needed book, two experienced practitioners, Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison, show that even in times of intense polarization, an approach they call 'collaborative problem-solving' can produce agreement on difficult questions. As I can attest from personal experience, the process requires patience, trust-building among longtime opponents, and the willingness to consider new evidence and unfamiliar arguments. It's more than a feel-good exercise, because it can lead to breakthroughs that improve the lives of millions of Americans." --Bill Galston, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institution

"As a conservative in the policy world, I learned long ago that for true reform to be achieved and sustained, we have to be willing to listen, and try to understand each other's values, goals, and perspectives. Helping strange bedfellows to do that is what Convergence does. In this book, Fersh and Levison share the techniques that produce success." --Stuart M. Butler, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies, Brookings Institution; former Director of Domestic Policy, Heritage Foundation

"Most of us can manage to discuss differences of opinion with people we already know well, but the farther removed the 'other' is from our own dinner table, the harder it is to navigate conflicting ideas. Yet if we cannot find ways to bridge our conflicts, our democracy will fail. That's why this book--outlining a step-by-step procedure for finding convergence around solutions to our most serious problems--is absolutely essential." --Mickey Edwards, Former Congressman; Lecturer at Princeton School of Public and International Affairs

"I've been involved with Convergence since Day One, and I've also sat as a stakeholder in one of its projects. I'm persuaded that people of widely divergent backgrounds and viewpoints, including political perspectives, can put these ideas to use to solve problems effectively without compromising principles important to them. Now more than ever we need to find ways to constructively and respectfully engage with others to solve problems where differences stand in the way of progress. This is the way." --Kelly D. Johnston, Former Food Lobbyist; 28th Secretary of the US Senate

"As a growing lack of trust in institutions and each other threatens to destabilize societies across the globe, Mariah Levison and Rob Fersh have given all of us who want to build a more equitable and just world a major and timely gift. They make the case that we can almost always achieve more durable and wise solutions to any number of thorny problems by opting out of the zero-sum game of competing interests, and instead turning toward each other. Even better, their book walks us through exactly how to value and work across our differences." --John A. Powell, Director, Othering and Belonging Institute; Robert D. Haas Chancellor's Chair in Equity and Inclusion, University of California-Berkeley

"This book is amazing! I found it deeply inspirational and came out of it with a desire to be not only a better problem-solver but also a better person, a better teacher, and a better colleague/administrator. With an awareness of the growing polarization in all facets of American life, Fersh and Levison offer a simple yet profound toolkit, including exercises to achieve a collaborative mindset and small, incremental practices I can incorporate in my classroom, with my colleagues, and in my personal life to help me value the perspectives of others, practice curiosity, and embrace conflict as an opportunity for growth. Their work speaks forcefully to me in my academic setting, where we affirm the value of diverse perspectives but often become embattled in defending our own." --Annie Gray, Dean of the School of Arts, Sciences, and Education, Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington, Indiana

"From Conflict to Convergence is a practical and necessary guide to how we survive in today's fractured world. Its approach to collaborative problem-solving helps both on a personal level and, if adopted by more in our policy arena, would certainly be a way toward solving many of the problems that divide us. This approach--used by the authors through their organization, Convergence--has been behind the scenes in creating solutions and consensus over some very contentious issues.

Through creative storytelling, the authors walk us through practical steps to find shared solutions that might seem impossible. It should be required reading for all our elected officials! The long-term impact of this book should influence how those making policy can deploy this experience in these days of " toxic polarization," where, as the authors say, we "need to look across the aisle and not see enemies but partners for change."--Margery Kraus, Founder and Executive Chairman, APCO

"From Conflict to Convergence is a thoughtful guide for anyone seeking to forge lasting solutions to tough problems in a polarized world. Drawing on sound research and their extensive experience, Fersh and Levison offer practical strategies for fostering collaboration among people with different perspectives--a requirement for tackling the greatest challenges in society today." --Brian Hooks, Chairman and CEO, Stand Together

"Five-star stunning! Fersh and Levison have given our world a powerful gift, and just when we all need it the most. Their expertise and wisdom gently guide us, step by step, through the why, what, and how of collaborative problem-solving with a crystal-clear and practical process that we can actually apply to our own lives and work. I will be recommending this ground-breaking book to every single leader I know!" --Roxi Bahar Hewertson, CEO, Highland Consulting Group, Inc.; Author of Hire Right, Fire Right: A Leader's Guide to Finding and Keeping Your Best People and Lead Like It Matters...Because It Does

"From Conflict to Convergence is skills-based therapy for a country careening toward divorce. Drawing upon decades of personal experience, Levison and Fersh have produced an accessible and practical toolkit for people who want to solve problems, not simply argue about them. Using examples stretching back to the Constitutional Convention through to their own frontline experience with modern debates about Confederate monuments, healthcare reform, and more, Levison and Fersh demonstrate that a healthier, happier, more just America is entirely available to us." --Shamil Idriss, CEO, Search for Common Ground

"Conflict is hard and messy. Our avoidance makes it even more pernicious and intractable. With practical tools and a wealth of experience, Robert Fersh and Mariah Levison are offering us a way out. From Conflict to Convergence is a guidebook every leader needs to have in their back pocket to move from contentious disagreement to collaborative problem-solving. Moreover, it inspires hope for a nation as diverse as ours. Long-lasting solutions to our country's toughest challenges come from working with and learning from people who have different identities, values, and beliefs than we do." --Jennifer Hoos Rothberg, Executive Director, Einhorn Collaborative

"Rob Fersh and Mariah Levinson show how people who are at odds over difficult public policy issues can come together in good faith, understand each other, explore the issues, negotiate well, and find higher common ground. This book is based on their direct experience working with dozens of challenging negotiations and hundreds of leaders. As a facilitator who has worked closely with them and with the stakeholders, I found many powerful insights in this book that will help me do my own work better." --David Fairman, Senior Mediator, Consensus Building Institute

"Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison draw upon their experience grappling with challenging political issues to provide a book that is an excellent blend of theory and praxis. Using From Conflict to Convergence in my political science classrooms will provide students with real-world examples to discuss as they encounter the collaborative approach Fersh and Levison propose to resolve conflict. These stories will no doubt widen the lens of my students' budding policy imaginations while also equipping them with tools to better engage in problem-solving with others who might not share their point of view." --Lia Howard, Student Advising and Wellness Director, SNF Paideia Program, University of Pennsylvania

"From Conflict to Convergence offers a specific road map to both a better world and an improved life. Fersh and Levison do something so many people in this field do not. They take you step by step through both the inner and outer journey needed to navigate almost any conflict. Follow their teachings and you will find yourself in a better place, because how we manage conflict is ultimately how we manage our humanity. They will not let you down." --David Baum, PhD, DMin, Author of Lightning in a Bottle, The Randori Principles, and The Routledge Handbook of Collective Intelligence for Democracy and Governance

"A practical and accessible playbook. Fersh and Levison provide strategies to overcome our differences so we can work together to solve our collective challenges." --Caroline Mehl, Cofounder and Executive Director, Constructive Dialogue Institute

"Fersh and Levinson have produced an important, instructive, and enjoyable guide for collaborative problem-solving. Their book arrives at a time when colleges are searching for new ways to equip their students and faculty to better serve society and address our most pressing problems. They carefully illustrate that dialogue--not just debate--is an essential element of learning, critical thinking, and problem-solving to develop lasting solutions to thorny problems." -- Matt Owens, President, Council on Governmental Relations; participant in the Convergence project Building a Better Budget Process

"Among the most impactful issues of our time, there often are key stakeholders with widely divergent perspectives and interests. They sometimes seem irreconcilable. But the wonderful book written by Rob Fersh and Mariah Levison demonstrates that, with disciplined work and developing trust, convergence to common ground is often possible. We all can benefit from the lessons they offer!" --Ron Pollack, Founding Executive Director, Families USA; Founding CEO, Food Research and Action Center (FRAC)

"This book thoughtfully distills the hard-won wisdom that Rob Fersh, Mariah Levison, and the team at Convergence Center for Policy Resolution have developed through their stellar work in bridging divides on thorny policy questions for more than a decade now. They have found that the way out of our current distempers is to work our way through them--not by giving up on our core convictions, but by understanding and finding fresh ways to align what we believe with the convictions of others in order to realize goals we hold in common." --Daniel Stid, Executive Director, Lyceum Labs

"Mariah Levison and Rob Fersh set out to write a book 'to help readers choose what kind of leader [they] want to be...what kinds of leaders you want to associate with, and...what kind of leaders you want to entrust with your vote' and they have succeeded! The book is hopeful and optimistic, but not naïve. Levison and Fersh use stories of successes in a range of setting to illustrate their points and ground them in conflict theory, brain science, and psychology--all in a very accessible way. They remind us that the polarization we feel does not have to be the status quo--each of us as the ability to adopt a mindset of open curiosity and we have the power to make positive changes. Levison and Fersh have given us the tools to do so." --Sharon Press, Director, Dispute Resolution Institute Professor of Law, Mitchell Hamline School of Law

"The Convergence model of engagement with difficult issues and its success at the highest levels of government and business have not only guided students to improvements in their writing. The model has inspired freer and less anxious classroom discussions, and students report taking Convergence home to their interactions with friends and family." --Lynn Schoch, Instructor, Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington, Indiana

"From Conflict To Convergence offers a timely 'how to' guide for those committed to bridging divides through empathy, trust building and collaborative problem solving. Fersh and Levison have brought a lifetime of experience and proven strategies for tackling the seemingly most intractable issues of our time. More than simply a legacy of wisdom, their opus provides something even more valuable; renewed faith in our abilities to rebuild connections in pursuit of our shared humanity." -- Bruce A. Edwards, Mediator and Co Founder of Edwards Mediation Academy

Through creative storytelling, the authors walk us through practical steps to find shared solutions that might seem impossible. It should be required reading for all our elected officials! The long-term impact of this book should influence how those making policy can deploy this experience in these days where, as the authors say, we "need to look across the aisle and not see enemies but partners for change."--Margery Kraus, Founder and Executive Chairman, APCO