Possible by William Ury Summary

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Yes. Ury shares examples of resolving family feuds by applying the same principles used in global disputes: pausing to gain perspective, identifying shared goals, and involving trusted mediators. These steps reduce emotional reactivity and foster reconciliation.

Key examples include mediating the US-USSR nuclear crisis, Colombia’s civil war, Ukraine’s conflict, and corporate labor strikes. Ury also details personal stories, like defusing a tense encounter with Venezuela’s Hugo Chávez.

Ury argues polarization stems from unmanaged conflict, not conflict itself. His framework offers tools to reframe debates—like political divides—as collaborative problem-solving opportunities, urging societies to embrace conflict as a catalyst for innovation.

1. Conflict is inevitable but manageable.
2. Perspective-taking (“balcony”) prevents escalation.
3. Sustainable solutions require inclusive collaboration.
4. Community support ensures lasting peace.

These principles empower individuals and nations to thrive amid discord.