From Conflict to Convergence: Coming Together to Solve Tough Problems

Conclusion: We All Can Be Collaborative Leaders

Veteran conflict resolution pro Tom Dunne's commitment to collaborative problem-solving long predates his involvement with Convergence as a charter member of its board and leadership council. He often shares his formative experiences serving in Vietnam. He was part of a group of US Marines who approached a village that they'd been told was friendly to Americans, only to find the local residents greeting them with gunfire. It would have been easy to defend themselves, but Tom and others in the group quickly realized that none of the shots were landing on them; the villagers were purposefully shooting above their heads. They were friendly, but they were scared, because only a couple days before they'd been bombed by US planes. This was one of many moments during the war that inspired Tom to spend the rest of his life seeking ways to resolve conflicts collaboratively rather than by brute force of word or deed.

After returning to civilian life, Tom began his long and successful career in conflict resolution. Among his early jobs was organizational development specialist at the US Postal Service. One day he received a call from the postmaster of a large office in the South. The postmaster had a problem. When Tom asked what he need help with, the postmaster answered, “Well, some of the old boys drove by my house last night and blasted it with a shotgun.”

Tom had imagined handling disputes between managers and front-line workers, but ...