Is there still value to be created?
- January 30, 2023
- min reading time
- Hans van Zijst
An important part of the Mutual Gains approach is the process of value creation. Many negotiations in the physical realm reach an impasse due to scarcity. In such cases, there seems to be no room left for a joint search for added value. And that is unjustified, according to Hans van Zijst.
Negotiations on spatial planning and built environment issues are stalled by a scarcity of money, time, and, most importantly, space. This includes both physical space (hectares) and environmental space (nitrogen, noise, external safety). The Netherlands is fully allocated, even at sea. New initiatives only succeed if existing/old functions are stopped. This also applies to environmental space: buying up emission allowances, improving the quality of noise emissions (quieter aircraft and vehicles) or quantity (fewer flight movements; more public transport). As a result, many initiatives remain just ambitions, even for socially relevant developments like housing construction.
What does this scarcity mean for the successful management of step 2 of the MGA process, creating value? If an initiative itself barely gets off the ground, what is the prospect for seeking added value in an inclusive and participatory process with stakeholders? How do you go from a mediocre passing grade to an 8? How do you reach consensus (the greatest common divisor) beyond compromise (the least common multiple)? The answer is: by consciously choosing to do so!
Where simplification of reality and symptom management seem to gain the upper hand in an attempt to achieve results at all, we embrace the complexity of the task. How do you do that?
- to dare to think about the ideal solution,
- to look at the potential for improvement from multiple perspectives,
- embrace and cherish differences instead of denying them,
- seek friction and bring to a shine,
- Recognize and peel back the layers of a problem,
- engage in dialogue with all stakeholders, not just proponents.
Essential ingredients to ultimately arrive at a solution that extends beyond the individual interests of participants. This requires them (and ultimately their leaders) to dare to step out of their comfort zones, to be mindful of the interests of others, and to be willing to make room from their own responsibility for creating added value and achieving greater societal gain. Shall we seriously focus on that in 2023?
