Positions and Interests

Module 2: Illustrations

Positions and Interests – Three Kinds of Illustrations

To illustrate distinguishing between positions and interests, here are three kinds of examples.

  • Basic – comparing statements and brief, simple stories about conflict
  • Moderate – taking a longer statement and reviewing it for direct and indirect indications of positions and interests
  • Advanced -- taking a longer statement where there is a mix of positions and interests, where some interests are “deeper” or more fundamental than other interests.

Basic Illustration – Part 1

The setting is an employee talking with her boss. She makes two statements. Which statement is a statement of a position? Which states an interest?

Statement 1: I need a 4% raise Position or interest?

Statement 2: I need adequate childcare for my four-year-old daughter. Position or interest?

Answer key

Basic Illustration – Part 2

The setting is a citizen talking with a public transit official. He makes three statements. Which statement is a statement of a position? Which states an interest?

Statement 1: I’m looking for adequate transportation to get to and from work and for grocery shopping. Position or interest?

Statement 2: I can only do grocery shopping on Thursday evenings. Position or interest?

Statement 3: There is no way I can take the bus to work Position or interest?

Answer key

Moderately Challenging Illustrations –

Taking a longer statement and reviewing it for direct and indirect indications of positions and interests

Two stories to show how to get at the INTERESTS behind the POSITIONS

Moderate – Part 1: Fighting over Two Lemons

Two daughters, Cindy and Etta, come into the living room to see their mother. They are bickering and fighting over two lemons. Each daughter wants to have both lemons. What should the mother do?

A typical answer would be to compromise. The mother can decide to give one lemon to each daughter and tell them to stop fighting. This way each daughter gets some of what they demand [their conflicting positions].

However, the mother could do better by asking what their interests are, not their positions.

Below shows that after finding out about the interests, there is a solution that is not a compromise and fully meets the each daughter’s interests.

Cindy and Etta have the same position: “I NEED both lemons!” When the mother asks why, she discovers that Cindy needs the juice to make lemonade and Etta needs the rind to bake a cake.

Thus, when the interests are understood, there is a solution that allows both Cindy and Etta to fully meet their interests (i.e. their goals for wanting the lemons).

Positions Interests Solutions
Cindy: I NEED both lemons! Cindy: needs juice to make lemonade Etta gets both lemons first and scrapes the rind off. ….
Etta: I NEED both lemons! Etta: needs rinds to bake a cake Then Cindy gets the pulp and squeezes out the juice.

Moderate – Part 2: Fighting over a Window – Open or Closed?

In the time before air conditioning, two friends, Jim and Juanita, are in a library, sitting at the same table. Jim is hot, so he opens the nearest window, which is on Juanita’s side of the table. The breeze from the window scatters Juanita’s papers, so she closes the window. It seems there is a standoff: Window closed or window open, what should be done?

In this story, since they are friends, their shared interest is to continue to be at the same table in the library.

In this case the positions are opposed to one another. Jim wants the window open and Juanita wants it closed. As shown in the table below, they have one shared interest - To remain at the table – and one differing interest. For Jim, he wants the window open in order to be cooler. For Juanita, she wants the window closed so the breeze does not scatter her papers.

Depending on the situation in the library there are many possible solutions to meet both of their interests. One possibility is a paperweight for Juanita’s papers to hold them down even if the open window causes a breeze. Another possibility is for Jim and Juanita to exchange places at the table. Juanita having more distance from the window may allow her to work without a paperweight on her papers.

Another possible interest-based solution is for the two friends to move to another table, where it may be cooler due to a fan, or being away from the sun. As shown in the table below, Jim and Juanita stayed at the same table, but Jim found a different window could be opened for a cooling breeze for him, but a breeze calm enough not to disturb Juanita’s papers.

Positions Interests Solutions
Jim: I want the window open Jim:
a) To be cooler
b) To remain at the table
 Jim opens a window in an adjoining room. There is a cool breeze for him…
Juanita: I want the window closed Juanita:
a) To not have papers scattered
b) To remain at the table
but the breeze does not disturb Juanita’s papers.

Advanced – Analyzing a longer statement for positions and different Levels of Interests

Sometimes, when listening to a person argue his or her side, you can find out that there are more then one level of interests. Much like peeling an onion, you can identify a position and then the immediate interest that supports the position. As you listen further, you can also identify a deeper interest

  • Position
  • Interest
  • Deeper Interest


Deeper interests can be similar to general values. “Being a good parent” is a general value that gives rise to a range of interests about health and safety, education, and the amount of time to spend with children.

In the following illustration, a mother speaks during a town council’s citizen comment period. The attached PowerPoint presentation follows her statement, and analyzes it for her position, and two different levels of interests.

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