Extracts from Step 5: take care of your own anger and stress

(from Oxford Research Group's booklet 'Everyone's Guide to Achieving Change -

a step-by-step approoach to dialogue with decision-makers')

It is also worth being aware of the anger many of us feel about the state of the world. There is no doubt that anger can at times have a salutary effect upon those at whom it is directed.  When and under what circumstances it can be an effective mode of expression in correspondence is a difficult question.  A flood of angry letters will certainly have an impact on anyone, but it may also have  other effects that are counterproductive in the long run, such as producing fear and resentment.

Perhaps it is sufficient to say that if your interest is in engaging a person in dialogue, anger should be expressed sparingly and accompanied by other things that might offset the defensiveness it is likely to engender.

......

It is important that the means used in this work should be the same as the ends.  Herein lies the gem of a principle. It is that to arive at your goal you must use the methods that are true of that goal. In other words your means must be of the same character and quality as your end. 

For example, if you are seeking a world without weapons of mass destruction, it is no good going into a discussion armed to the teeth and using facts like ammunition. The more the methods are true of the goal, the faster and more effectively the goal will be reached.