What is the difference between a road map and flower arranging? If you do not know the difference you may not understand why the latest peace initiative in the Middle East might fail. A road map is a 'plan' of what is desired and seems to be needed. A flower arrangement is a 'design' put together from what is available. With each flower placed the design may alter. You design a way forward.
As I have said so often before, there is always a need to have a 'design conference' before a negotiating conference. The design conference puts forward new possibilities and new concepts. Yhese enrich subsequent negotiations. It is almost impossible to generate new ideas during negotiation because such ideas are immediately seen as being in one party's interest.
These are some of the points raised in my latest book 'WHY SO STUPID? How the human race has never really learned to think'. Obtainable from the publisher:
Tel: +353 1 278 5090
e-mail: blackhall@eircome.net
Edward de Bono nmt
18th May 2003
Venice
