Clampitt on conflict, compromise in Madison

Communication professor and conflict resolution expert Phil Clampitt has a few ideas about how Wisconsin Republicans and Democrats might come together now that the latter have taken control of the state Senate — but even he says the divisions are likely to persist, according to a Tuesday (July 17) article on WisconsinReporter.com. The first step, Clampitt says, is to repair relationships harmed by years of squabbling and one-upmanship, identifying misperceptions and the attributes that underlie them. It’s part of what Clampitt terms an “instruction manual” that, while helpful in certain settings, may be of little use for our legislators in Madison, he said. Still, relationship-building can start now, Clampitt said, ahead of the ultimate arbitrators — the voters — making themselves heard Nov. 6. Full story.