This document introduces a cultural grid for understanding conflicts across cultures. The grid separates intentions from behaviors, showing that the same intentions can lead to different behaviors across cultures, or different intentions can lead to the same behaviors. Finding common ground involves understanding another's cultural context and shared intentions, rather than assuming intentions based on behaviors. Examples like best friends or negotiations show how focusing on common ground first can help manage conflicts better than an immediate focus on changing behaviors.

1. A "CULTURAL GRID“
FOR FINDING COMMON
GROUND ACROSS CULTURES
ByBy Paul PedersenPaul Pedersen
Professor Emeritus Syracuse University,Professor Emeritus Syracuse University,
Visiting Professor, Department of PsychologyVisiting Professor, Department of Psychology
University of HawaiiUniversity of Hawaii

2. What is common ground for?
• Reframing conflict into a cultural frameworkReframing conflict into a cultural framework
allows two people to disagree without either oneallows two people to disagree without either one
being “wrong.”being “wrong.”
• Different behaviors might have the same meaningDifferent behaviors might have the same meaning
or intention.or intention.
• Same behaviors may have a different meaning orSame behaviors may have a different meaning or
intention.intention.

3. THE INTERPERSONAL
CULTURAL GRID
WHAT WAS DONE?WHAT WAS DONE?
WHY WAS IT
DONE?
POSITIVE
ACTION
NEGATIVE
ACTION
POSITIVE
INVENTION
NEGATIVE
INTENTION

4. SEPARATING INTENTIONS
FROM BEHAVIORS
• Same positive intention and same behaviorSame positive intention and same behavior
(HARMONY)(HARMONY)
• Same positive intention and different behaviorSame positive intention and different behavior
(CULTURAL CONFLICT)(CULTURAL CONFLICT)
• Different intention but same behaviorDifferent intention but same behavior
(PERSONAL CONFLICT)(PERSONAL CONFLICT)
• Different intention and different behaviorDifferent intention and different behavior
(WAR)(WAR)

5. HOW CULTURALLY DIFFERENT
BEHAVIORS CREATE CONFLICT
• If people behave differently you might assumeIf people behave differently you might assume
their intentions are also different.their intentions are also different.
• Eventually different behaviors will probably resultEventually different behaviors will probably result
in conflict.in conflict.
• One or the other person will be forced to changeOne or the other person will be forced to change
their behavior and “lose.”their behavior and “lose.”
• The “loser” will pretend for awhile but eventuallyThe “loser” will pretend for awhile but eventually
will declare war.will declare war.

6. HOW CULTURALLY SIMILAR
INTENTIONS MANAGE CONFLICT
• Find out why the other person is behavingFind out why the other person is behaving
differently.differently.
• Discover which shared intentions are matched toDiscover which shared intentions are matched to
different behaviors.different behaviors.
• Learn to interpret one another’s behavior in theirLearn to interpret one another’s behavior in their
cultural context.cultural context.
• Learn how to express the same intention throughLearn how to express the same intention through
different behaviors.different behaviors.

7. EXAMPLES OF FINDING COMMON
GROUND
• Your best friend may be quite different fromYour best friend may be quite different from
yourself.yourself.
• Hiring someone on the recommendation of aHiring someone on the recommendation of a
trusted friendtrusted friend
• Federal marshal on an airplane emphasizingFederal marshal on an airplane emphasizing
“safety”“safety”
• The Oslo Accord emphasizing “the children”The Oslo Accord emphasizing “the children”

8. DOUBLE LOOP THINKING
1.1. Select a partner.Select a partner.
2.2. You will argue for and your partnerYou will argue for and your partner
against a viewpoint for 2-3 minutes.against a viewpoint for 2-3 minutes.
3.3. You will change sides and continue theYou will change sides and continue the
argument for 2-3 minutes.argument for 2-3 minutes.
4.4. You and your partner will discuss howYou and your partner will discuss how
well you were able to take eachwell you were able to take each
perspective.perspective.

9. CONCLUSION
• Understand the other person from theirUnderstand the other person from their
perspective.perspective.
• First focus on building a common groundFirst focus on building a common ground
foundation.foundation.
• Later focus on changing behaviors.Later focus on changing behaviors.

10. CONCLUSION
• Understand the other person from theirUnderstand the other person from their
perspective.perspective.
• First focus on building a common groundFirst focus on building a common ground
foundation.foundation.
• Later focus on changing behaviors.Later focus on changing behaviors.