Harri Holkeri Quotes

I hope it goes beyond meeting with them to a willingness to listen and compromise on issues.

My opinion on who's wrong or who's right has nothing to do with the fact that we have to bring together people who are against each other, to transform antagonism into cooperation.

The more people talk directly to each other, the better. Dialogue is the way of solving issues.

You don't promote the cause of peace by talking only to people with whom you agree.

If we can’t agree on the facts, how can we agree on the solutions?

What I've learned - after working for, I guess, some time now - is when you're approaching a relationship like that, like, any working relationship, it's good to be open. To know that someone might have a different way of doing things and listen to them. And hopefully, you come to a common understanding.

Often, just explicitly acknowledging how the other side must see things can help them open up to see your side and can help both parties achieve a fair and constructive outcome.

All sides must learn to respect one another.

How else are we going to get anywhere if we can't talk to each other?

Nebraskans have very strong opinions, but we sit down around a table and we solve our problems.

Peace comes when you talk to the guy you most hate. And that's where the courage of a leader comes, because when you sit down with your enemy, you as a leader must already have very considerable confidence from your own constituency.

We can't always agree on everything.

I just don't believe that you have to come in and insult people when you want to change things.

Two great talkers will not travel far together.

My own experience is use the tools that are out there. Use the digital world. But never lose sight of the need to reach out and talk to other people who don't share your view. Listen to them and see if you can find a way to compromise.

We had many more points of agreement than we had points of difference, but we did differ, and the bigger we got, the more insistent we got that each one of us should have his way.

Through mutual understanding, sincerity and goodwill, and with great wisdom and broad views, the leaders on both sides should jointly initiate new opportunities for peace, stability, cooperation and mutual benefit.

I learned firsthand that there would simply be no wars if people engaged in real conversation.

You get nothing done if you don't listen to each other.

'The Conversation' will hopefully touch on issues that will move people to want to strengthen communication and look to each other for solutions.

I can do whatever I want. They will tell me if what I am doing is stupid or a total waste of time. I may tell them that they are wrong, and we will come to an agreement.

Genuine dialogue, not rhetorical bomb-throwing, leads to progress.

We cannot have that relationship if we only dictate or threaten and condemn those who disagree.

You cannot compromise unless people talk to you.

I simply do not think that yelling, swearing, threatening or belittling will get you to the place you want to be faster than kindness, understanding, patience and a little willingness to compromise.