16. Interaction: Play Ball!

Underlying all cooperative instincts is interaction—the joint activities/communication between two or more people in which each individual influences and is influenced by others. The more we stimulate interaction and make it a fair give and take where each person benefits individually, the bigger the payoff for the common good.

Giving and taking criticism, for example, is an interactive process: How you give criticism influences how your partner or coworker receives it. How he responds influences you the next time you criticize that person. Criticizing your partner or coworker productively increases the likelihood he will respond productively, and his productive response influences you to continue your productive ...

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