The process of making decisions is integral to life. We make decisions every day, from what to have for breakfast to critical issues of life and business. When two or more people are involved in making those decisions, the process often involves "compromise" and can be complicated by the basic give-and-take and trade-offs that are associated with this approach.

Webster's New Twentieth Century Dictionary of the English Language defines compromise in this way:

• A settlement in which each side gives up some demands or makes concessions
• An adjustment of...