You many have heard the news a month ago about the creation of the nation's largest national monument stretching from Hawaii to Midway Island. You may also have been surprised to hear that it was created via executive order from none other than George W. Bush. But the best story to come out of it is the story of how Jean-Michel Cousteau (son of Jaques) convinced the president that the sanctuary was worth creating. Here's the whole story. Regardless of your political inclinations, it's an incredible story of effective communication. To quote the SB Independant interview:

I don’t pretend to have a secret solution. But the method of confrontation has to be left behind. That was the ’60s and ’70s. We can’t do that anymore. That was okay then, but not now. In terms of dealing with decision-makers — whether industry or government — we have to establish dialogue; we have to behave as human beings talking to other human beings. Those people have a family, they have children, they have obligations, they are the same as you and I. If you approach them in a non-confrontational way, chances are that you will have some success. And if your arguments are convincing enough, it’s going to work. You might not get exactly what you want, but at least you will be heard.

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