What is *Possible* by William Ury about?

*Possible* by William Ury explores transforming conflict into opportunities for growth through a three-step framework: "Go to the Balcony" (gain perspective), "Build a Golden Bridge" (collaborate on solutions), and "Engage the Third Side" (leverage community support). Drawing on Ury’s 45+ years mediating high-stakes conflicts—from Cold War crises to corporate disputes—the book argues that conflict, when managed constructively, drives innovation and progress.

Who should read *Possible*?

Leaders, negotiators, policymakers, and anyone navigating personal or professional conflicts will benefit. Ury’s actionable methods apply to workplace disputes, family tensions, and global diplomacy, making it ideal for CEOs, mediators, activists, and individuals seeking strategies to turn adversarial situations into collaborative solutions.

Is *Possible* worth reading?

Yes, particularly for its tested, real-world frameworks. Ury’s approach, validated in Harvard’s Program on Negotiation and conflict zones like Colombia and Ukraine, offers practical tools to reframe disagreements. The blend of memoir, case studies, and tactical advice makes it a standout guide for modern conflict resolution.

What are the three steps in William Ury’s conflict resolution framework?

1. **Go to the Balcony**: Observe emotions and dynamics objectively. 2. **Build a Golden Bridge**: Co-create solutions addressing all parties’ needs. 3. **Engage the Third Side**: Mobilize community support to sustain agreements. This process helps de-escalate tensions and fosters lasting outcomes.

How does *Possible* suggest handling workplace conflicts?

Ury advises stepping back (“balcony”) to avoid reactive decisions, then collaboratively designing mutually beneficial solutions (“golden bridge”). Involving neutral stakeholders (“third side”)—like HR or mentors—can prevent escalation. These tactics are drawn from Ury’s corporate mediation experience, including resolving boardroom standoffs.

What is the “Third Side” concept in *Possible*?

The “Third Side” refers to engaging impartial third parties—communities, leaders, or institutions—to reinforce resolutions. By creating accountability and support networks, this approach prevents relapse into conflict, as seen in Ury’s work ending Colombia’s 50-year civil war.

How does *Possible* apply to international diplomacy?

Ury’s methods have shaped peace processes in Ukraine, Colombia, and Cold War nuclear negotiations. For example, his “third side” strategy mobilized global allies to support Colombia’s peace deal, demonstrating how external stakeholders can stabilize fragile agreements.

How does *Possible* compare to Ury’s *Getting to Yes*?

While *Getting to Yes* focuses on negotiation tactics for mutual gain, *Possible* addresses broader conflict transformation. It emphasizes mindset shifts (balcony), systemic collaboration (bridge), and community-powered sustainability (third side), reflecting Ury’s evolution from deal-making to holistic resolution.

Possible Summary, PDF, EPUB, Audio

Possible

William Ury

4.25 (325 Reviews)

Communication skill Relationship Leadership Self-growth

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

In "Possible," negotiation legend William Ury unveils transformative conflict resolution strategies tested at Harvard. Co-author of 15-million-copy bestseller "Getting to Yes," Ury's methods have prevented nuclear disaster and earned praise from "Good to Great" author Jim Collins. What's your impossible conflict?

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Our greatest obstacle in conflict isn't the difficult person across from us, but ourselves.

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Possible isn't just a book — it's a masterclass in Communication skill. To help you absorb its lessons in the way that works best for you, we offer five unique learning modes. Whether you're a deep thinker, a fast learner, or a story lover, there's a mode designed to fit your style.

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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

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"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

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Possible

William Ury

4.25 (325 Reviews)

Communication skill Relationship Leadership Self-growth

Overview

Key Takeaways

Author

FAQs

Explore Your Way of Learning

Quick Summary9min

Feel the book through the author's voice

Deep Dive42min

Turn knowledge into engaging, example-rich insights

Flash Card8 insights

Capture key ideas in a flash for fast learning

Fun24min

Enjoy the book in a fun and engaging way

Best quote from Possible

Our greatest obstacle in conflict isn't the difficult person across from us, but ourselves.

More Like This

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Key Takeaways

From Impossible to Possible: The Art of Transforming Conflict

00:00

In a world increasingly fractured by conflict, William Ury's insights arrive like a beacon of hope. Drawing on fifty years mediating some of history's most challenging disputes - from Cold War nuclear tensions to Colombia's decades-long civil war - Ury presents a revolutionary framework for transforming seemingly impossible situations. The central question driving his life's work emerged in post-war Europe: How can we deal with our deepest differences without destroying what we hold dear? Today, with unprecedented polarization and many Americans fearing civil war, this question has never been more urgent. The problem isn't conflict itself - we need constructive conflict that challenges injustice and stimulates growth. Rather, it's how destructively we handle our differences. Like navigating rapids, the only way out is through - transforming conflicts from destructive fighting into productive negotiation. The path to possible consists of three interconnected victories that unlock our full human potential. First, "going to the balcony" represents a victory with ourselves - stepping back to gain perspective in heated situations. Second, "building a golden bridge" creates victory with others by establishing pathways from confrontation to cooperation. Third, "engaging the third side" achieves victory with the whole community by activating the surrounding social ecosystem to help transform conflict. These victories aren't separate steps but interconnected dimensions that work together. The balcony unlocks potential within us, the bridge unlocks potential between us, and the third side unlocks potential around us. This framework isn't just theoretical - it's been battle-tested in some of history's most intractable conflicts.

Going to the Balcony: The Power of Perspective

Building Golden Bridges Across Divides

The Power of the Third Side: Community Engagement

Unlocking Our Conflict Transformation Superpowers

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Quick Summary

Possible Summary in 9 Minutes

Break down key ideas from Possible into bite-sized takeaways to understand how innovative teams create, collaborate, and grow.

00:00

Flash Card

Top 8 Insights from Possible in a Nutshell

Distill Possible into rapid-fire memory cues that highlight key principles of candor, teamwork, and creative resilience.

Fun

Possible Lessons Told Through 24-Min Stories

Experience Possible through vivid storytelling that turns innovation lessons into moments you'll remember and apply.

00:00

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Experience Possible in your own way.

Ask anything, pick the voice, and co-create insights that truly resonate with you.

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco

BeFreed Brings Together A Global Community Of 1,000,000 Curious Minds

See more on how BeFreed is discussed across the web

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."

@Moemenn

"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."

@Chloe, Solo founder, LA

117

"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."

@Raaaaaachelw

"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."

@Matt, YC alum

108

"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."

@Erin, Investment Banking Associate , NYC

254

"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."

@djmikemoore

"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."

@Pitiful

4.5K

"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."

@SofiaP

"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"

@Jaded_Falcon

201

"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."

@OojasSalunke

"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."

@Leo, Law Student, UPenn

483

"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"

@Cashflowbubu

1.5K Ratings4.7

Start your learning journey, now

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Possible by William Ury Summary

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Possible by William Ury Summary

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More Like This

Key Takeaways

From Impossible to Possible: The Art of Transforming Conflict

Going to the Balcony: The Power of Perspective

Building Golden Bridges Across Divides

The Power of the Third Side: Community Engagement

Unlocking Our Conflict Transformation Superpowers

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More Like This

Key Takeaways

From Impossible to Possible: The Art of Transforming Conflict

Going to the Balcony: The Power of Perspective

Building Golden Bridges Across Divides

The Power of the Third Side: Community Engagement

Unlocking Our Conflict Transformation Superpowers