The Rules of Engagement Seven Proven Rules of Engagement To Resolve Cultural and Religious Conflicts Through Common Ground Thinking By Wayne Jacobsen These seven Rules of Engagement area at the core of our training and mediation in Common Ground Thinking Derived from the ideals of the Declaration of Independence and the First Amendment, these simple rules can reframe the debate in cultural and religious conflicts that help groups achieve Fourth Option Agreements to work in the best interests of all parties involved. Rule #1 You Can’t Force People to Change Their Worldview Rule #2 Vilifying Those Who Disagree with You Says More about You Than It Does about Them Rule #3 Allowing Divergent Views Does Not Validate Those Views Rule #4 You Best Protect Your Civic Freedoms by Protecting Those Who Disagree with You Rule #5 If You Do Not Include All the Stakeholders You Cannot Fix the Problem Rule #6 Cooperation Cannot Require Compromise of our Deepest Convictions Rule #7 The Best Solutions Arise from Seeking Highest Possible Consensus © Copyright 2002 by BridgeBuilders Permission is hereby granted to anyone wishing to make copies for free distribution.