We’ve all had that feeling. Do I really want to talk to this person? Will we find anything to agree on? Should I bring a bodyguard?

All these questions came up before William Akley met with Mothers Out Front, a critic of his New England utility. The women of Mothers Out Front didn’t start with high hopes, either. But from that meeting came not only a fruitful partnership but also a pioneering experiment in clean energy.

Yes, Doug Struck’s story today is about clean energy. But it’s also about the humility and openness that make our societies run better.