Compromise

Abstract

The word compromise is a strange beast. It can be used both as a verb and as a noun. It derives from the Latin comprissum meaning a mutual promise, through Old French compromis and late Middle English when compromise meant mutual consent to arbitration.Like so many English words in current use, it was introduced into the vernacular by William Shakespeare. In The Merchant of Venice, Shylock tells Antonio a story about how Jacob and his uncle Laban compromised over a flock of sheep (Fig. 1). Here, Shakespeare uses the word as meaning to reach an agreement, a negotiation.In Greek mythology, Persephone, the daughter of Zeus and Demeter, goddess of fertility and crops, was abducted by Hades and taken into the Underworld. Her mother's pining resulted in eternal winter. Zeus pleaded with his brother Hades to free Persephone, but Hades tricked her into eating six pomegranate seeds. Anyone who has eaten in the Underworld cannot leave. However, Zeus persuaded Hades to compromise. Persephone could remain in the Underworld for 6 months each year (one for each pomegranate seed), the winter, and could roam the Earth for the other 6 months, bringing spring, summer and the flourishing of crops.

Conflict as a place of possibility

“…From a position of, if not mutual respect, at least of mutual tolerance, you may recognise that you are not be as far apart as you first thought. This raises the possibility of true, constructive compromise 3 . Sometimes, the level of conflict may suggest a workplace compromise is impossible.…”

“…This raises the possibility of true, constructive compromise. 3 Sometimes, the level of conflict may suggest a workplace compromise is impossible. We may refer to 'irreconcilable differences', which 'cannot' be resolved, or 'intractable conflict' which is difficult to resolve.…”