Bipartisanship…the stance many politicians claim to have, but rarely adopt in full. I often wonder why it’s so hard to work together to achieve a collective goal: improving the lives of constituents. Ultimately, many leaders got into this business to help others. Why is it so hard to make it happen on a larger scale?

We all have different stances and opinions. However, when those stances and opinions become rigid and righteous, cooperation is almost impossible. Further, what does it say when 70 percent of Americans believe there needs to be a new party dedicated to compromise, conciliation, fiscal discipline, and economic growth that draws on the best ideas from both sides?  

Instead, leaders need to make a real effort to embrace bipartisanship in order to be more productive and create long-lasting change. It will also help the majority of Americans to feel confidence, not disdain, for the state of their political leaders.

Here are some ways to achieve it.

Evaluate what people really want
Many politicians claim to know what people want, but once party politics and pressure from big groups come into play, conflicts of interest form. Leaders need to evaluate what all people want in order to make sound decisions. Reading surveys, researching polls, and taking all wants and needs into account are ways to make this happen.  Leaders can use what the people collectively to identify common goals as a foundation for bipartisanship.

Understand core values
The core values of Americans may not vary as much as we have different priorities for our values. Some may be passionate about preserving freedom, where others see America as already free and are more concerned with safety or opportunity. By identifying the underlying values behind the positions, when officials work together, they can better understand why the other side is so attached to a proposal.  By acknowledging and addressing the pivotal values, they can work as a team to craft policies which satisfy more Americans — and politicians — rather than just a select group.

Compromise early and often
It’s hard to compromise on a policy or a stance when the other leader is locked in battle. Just look at the recent fiscal cliff negotiations. Both sides refused to give in, making businesses wary, depressing the stock market, heightening the drama till it climaxed, on the eve of the deadline, the edge of the fiscal cliff. Leaders need to understand that talks of compromise must start early.  Digging in and posing for the media just prolong the situation.

As the above survey indicated, Americans want to compromise and use the best ideas from all sides. Letting go of an idea you are passionate about — but one that the opposing side can not agree to — is difficult. However, arguing until you’re blue in the face doesn’t help. As an alternative, after making their positions clear, they should discuss core values and then address them.  Both sides should begin to give ground early so portions of their ideas can be taken into account.  They should focus on making steady progress instead of maintaining an all-or-nothing situation.

For example, many Americans wanted higher taxes for the rich and a good deal are willing to pay a little more to help ease the deficit. So, representatives compromised by raising the highest tax bracket and letting the payroll tax break expire. These types of compromises helps a broad spectrum of Americans, not just one group.  We need to establish a political culture where this can happen more quickly, and reliably.

Represent all people
It’s important to look at the bigger picture. What matters more: looking like a warrior and having your party dominate or making your constituents happy?  Many officials got their start in politics because they wanted to do something for their community. This needs to be at the forefront of decision making, not something to be put on the back burner.

Representing all people should be the context for all politicians. It can be the basis for the teamwork required to create bipartisanship. It’s how representatives can satisfy an array of people, not just the slight majority that voted for them. Representing all people helps them be real leaders, the kind that can work together rather than butting heads on key issues.

Bipartisanship doesn’t have to be a concept leaders claim they will adopt but later brush aside. It can be a tool used to create real change, instill camaraderie, and keep the majority of the country satisfied with the state of the nation. When our representatives operate with bipartisanship in mind, they become better leaders and work as a team to satisfy the needs of all people, not just a select few.

What do you think? What are some other ways to achieve true bipartisanship?