This past spring, Clinical Professor Bob Bordone‘s students were treated to a visit by former Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis, who was also the Democratic nominee for President in 1988. Governor Dukakis’ visit came at the end of the semester-long Negotiation Workshop, in which students explored negotiation theory and practice, working intensively on skill-building to improve their effectiveness as negotiators. Dukakis spoke to students in detail about the negotiation dynamics of the Park Plaza case – a contentious 1970s Boston urban renewal project – as well as about the way negotiation tools and concepts came into play during his two terms as Governor. In addition to sharing personal stories of a life of public service, Gov. Dukakis also echoed many themes of the Negotiation Workshop – the importance of preparation, of relationships, and of collaboration.
To learn more about the Harvard Negotiation and Mediation Clinical Program, visit their website.
