Step 3: The Magic Moment

When has enough been said? When and how does leadership need to intervene to end the discussion? Discussions aimed at solving a problem have an arc of tension. The mood in the room builds to a climax, the magic moment. At that moment, there is a “change in emotional state”. The frenzy gives way to sobriety. Recognizing and using this moment often determines the success of the agreement process. This chapter describes six ways in which the magic moment can manifest itself and how to intervene in each of them.