World events, such as the atrocities in Iraq, Syria, Israel, Palestine and other war-zone countries, can leave generations of communities scarred for life with any hope for a better life removed. Watching heart-breaking events unfold in the media, I wanted to offer a solution to world leaders for a better way to create happier communities and prevent conflicts from occurring in the first place. The following tools are key to building happier communities and environments globally:
1. Collaboration as a conflict prevention tool
The Happiness Mindset discusses the need for 'collabaration' in any negotiation, including ones where conflict is involved. Collaboration, is an approach used to reach a mutually positive outcome for both parties, a 'win-win' solution. This is different to the other 4 negotiation styles: compromise, competition, avoidance and
accommodation. The first of the four, competition is when we impose our views on the other party and they are left with no choice but to accept this position. Whilst this may lead to a good outcome for us, it leaves a bitter taste in the other person's mouth and can lead to resentment in the long-term. This is a short term strategy that is negative for relationship building and can hinder future negotiations.
Compromise is a 'lose-lose' strategy. When we accept compromise, both parties end up giving something up. This can result in disappointment and negativity.
The 'avoidance' style is when one party avoids discussions in order to prevent the pain of conflict. This is considered to be passive aggressive behaviour and can result in pushing the other party away; it distances both parties from reaching a mutually positive outcome. Sometimes it is best to bite the bullet and talk to the other party.
Accommodation is when we give up our needs and goals so that the other party may achieve their goals and needs. Whilst this can be seen as a peace-keeping signal, our needs and goals will resurface at a later point; the problem will not go away.
Investing time and energy in collaboration will result in happier, more prosperous results in the long term. Whilst collaboration is an iterative, time consuming process, understanding each others' goals and needs and how best to achieve them, leads to more sustainable results.
The tone is set from the top. If world leaders and governments demonstrate collaboration in their dealings with each other, societies and communities that they lead will naturally adopt this behaviour. This is how positive cultural change takes place.
2. Social Capital
Social capital is when positive benefits are derived for all citizens due to greater cooperation between individuals and groups. World leaders and governments need to encourage more group and community dialogue that crosses ethnic, racial, social and religious boundaries. Social capital is only created when there is equality amongst its people, allowing more voices to participate in any given decision or consensus-building activity. This leads to more transparent and accountable decisions being made, with everyone's views being valued. Valued communities are more productive, innovative and happier.
3. Education
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The best thing a leader can do for its people is provide quality education. This should not only be in the form of academic education but should also focus on psychological and emotional intelligence as well as resilience. The first will get them to a certain stage, providing them with the potentially good job and career prospects. The latter two however are crucial to surviving in an extroverted world, where a large portion of our career/job success depends on communicating with others effectively, influencing or motivating others to achieve a certain outcome; being able to motivate ourselves when we fail and bouncing back up again and carrying on. These skills are necessary in an increasingly complex environment where our prosperity and survival relies on our ability to effectively interact with others. Politicians and governments must create environments that allow these forms of education to be accessed easily and also encourage its people to invest in themselves and their own personal development.
4. Good health and well-being
People's health is the real wealth of any nation. Investment in health forms a significant part of a country's GDP. Access to quality healthcare is vital to a country's productivity and mental and physical well-being and in turn, their happiness. Quality and responsive universal healthcare should be accessible for all, whether this is achieved through a public or private healthcare system or through a hybrid of the two.
The more our leaders can build and nurture environments that are conducive to providing the above, the happier the world will be. Share this post with everyone you know - one by one we can spread these tools and techniques and create happier, more inspired and valued communities.
As Buddha said:
"Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared."
Share this with everyone you know and let's see how the world changes.
I wrote this article after watching some of the heart-breaking stories of conflict in the middle east currently taking place - I wanted to offer a different solution, a non-violent solution, a long-term strategy for happiness and peace in the world. Hope you found the article useful. Please share these tools and techniques for happiness with others who may benefit.
Brandon Stanberg
