With the world mourning the loss of Queen Elizabeth in the past week, it’s appropriate to reflect on her unprecedented 70-year reign. Her devotion to her role and her dignity and selflessness were extraordinary. While I admire and respect the Queen’s life of service, I also think that Australia should have its own head of State, so please allow me a little levity in this post.
It’s evident that the three Ps have taken over in Britain – the plan, the pomp and the protocol. However, the biggest dilemma noted in the press seems to be exactly what role the wayward members of the family should take in the proceedings. If you need a hint on which three members I am referencing, their initials spell out a processed sandwich meat.
As usual, I view everything through the lens of negotiation, and King Charles would be well-advised to consider these three tips for negotiating with family members:
- In family negotiations, positions (what people want) matter less than interests (why they want it). If the King understands the interests of the aforementioned wayward family members, he may be able to negotiate outcomes that meet their needs without flouting the protocols (a second-row seat but with clear camera angles, for instance).
- There are many different negotiation styles (compete, collaborate, compromise etc) but negotiations with family need to consider the impact on the long-term relationship. If possible, the King should be using an accommodating style in these negotiations unless the protocol matters more than his relationship with the processed sandwich meat crowd.
- If tips 1 and 2 don’t help in the family negotiation, the King needs to rely on objective standards, like precedent and statutes. With a little bit of research, I have discovered that the Duke of Windsor (the King who abdicated to marry Wallace Simpson) did attend the funeral of his brother, King George VI, but his wife was not invited!
And if all else fails, ramp up the three Ps, stay calm and carry on.