Common Ground: so a few weeks ago I was with 4 friends who had previously not known each other. There were a few PhD's and MBA and a me in the group. As with most social situations, people frantically floundered for common ground while remaining cucumber cool on the exterior. We 5 did just this and, eureka, common ground was found. Sadly it was not exactly the most fertile ground. The topic was shotty as best and before I knew it I was completely submersed in a rousing game of Words with Friends with a random opponent I had allowed my phone choose. So odd, I had set up the lunch and before the appetizers even came I was completely removed because I hated the conversation, and then I started to think....yes I do that from time to time.....as humans we have more things in common with others than we realize, but I think at times in order to avoid a fumble or two we may go for the easiest commonality which isn't always the best. It is easy to talk about a bad boss, a horrid co-worker, how much we hate politics, religion, school, work, you name it! And trust me this is not calling the kettle black, oh I realize I am a fine specimen of taking a conversation or 2 to this point, I am so loud I can get an entire room to start bad mouthing things, it is easy, it is "safe". But what more of a challenge would it be for me/you if we simply found a higher common ground? Yes it may take a bit more time but I think it might be worth the effort. Just a thought for me that I am writing down so I actually try it out.