--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The only valid starting point is to…" description: "\"The only valid starting point is to understand what we all share - we have to find what we can all agree on.\" — Gugu Mbatha-Raw" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b2/gugu-mbatha-raw-8335_agree_the-only-valid-starting-point-is-to-unde_823550.jpg" --- # The only valid starting point is to understand what we all… ![“The only valid starting point is to understand what we all share - we have to find what we can all agree on.” quote by Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b2/gugu-mbatha-raw-8335_agree_the-only-valid-starting-point-is-to-unde_823550.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b2/gugu-mbatha-raw-8335_agree_the-only-valid-starting-point-is-to-unde_823550.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/0b2/gugu-mbatha-raw-8335_agree_the-only-valid-starting-point-is-to-unde_823550.jpg) > “The only valid starting point is to understand what we all share - we have to find what we can all agree on.” [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Finding common ground is essential; start by identifying shared values before addressing differences. **In simple terms:** Begin with what we all agree on. Key Takeaway Seek shared values first. Themes conflict resolution communication unity agreement Mood hopeful pragmatic Type motivational practical When to use this quote - team meetings - negotiations - community building Key Concepts Common ground theory dialogue facilitation Questions to Reflect On - What truly unites us beyond surface agreements? - How to handle hidden dissent? A Different Perspective Shared values can be superficial. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Agree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/agree/) [Learning](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/learning/) [Point Understand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/point-understand-494004/) [Share](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/share/) [Share Agree](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/share-agree-494003/) [Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting/) [Starting point](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/starting-point/) [Valid Starting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/valid-starting-494005/) ## Related quotes > [Eventually you get to this point where you understand what you want to do and get across and sound like.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kendrick-lamar/eventually-you-get-to-this-point-where-you-understand-what-you-want/) [Kendrick Lamar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kendrick-lamar/) > [“I make it a point to understand nothing of what I'm told.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sienna-mcquillen/i-make-it-a-point-to-understand-nothing-of-what-i-m-told/) [Sienna McQuillen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sienna-mcquillen/) > [Any fool can know. The point is to understand.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/albert-einstein/any-fool-can-know-the-point-is-to-understand/) [Albert Einstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/albert-einstein/) > [The toughest thing about success is that you've got to keep on being a success. Talent is only a starting point in this business.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/irving-berlin/the-toughest-thing-about-success-is-that-you-ve-got-to-keep-on-being/) [Irving Berlin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/irving-berlin/) > [In the future, I want to be a starting point guard, that's for sure.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dennis-schroder/in-the-future-i-want-to-be-a-starting-point-guard-that-s-for-sure/) [Dennis Schroder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dennis-schroder/) > [I'm always saying that my books are not autobiographical because they're not. 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School is always a starting point so…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roy-yamaguchi/you-don-t-go-to-school-to-become-the-best-chef-in-the-world-right/) [Roy Yamaguchi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roy-yamaguchi/) > [I'm a historian by training and by conviction. And so the thing that has throughout informed my thinking about international relations is history. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/timothy-garton-ash/i-m-a-historian-by-training-and-by-conviction-and-so-the-thing-that/) [Timothy Garton Ash](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/timothy-garton-ash/) > [The starting point of sanctification is the filthiness, corruption, or stain of sin.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-ames/the-starting-point-of-sanctification-is-the-filthiness-corruption-or/) [William Ames](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-ames/) ## More by Gugu Mbatha-Raw > [I think being biracial is a different experience. I think that, and coming from the U.K., I feel as much white as I do…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/i-think-being-biracial-is-a-different-experience-i-think-that-and/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [It is important to be conscious of the message that you're putting out there. It takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/it-is-important-to-be-conscious-of-the-message-that-you-re-putting/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [I didn't really grow up on hip-hop. Ella Fitzgerald and the old school jazz divas are more my comfort zone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/i-didn-t-really-grow-up-on-hip-hop-ella-fitzgerald-and-the-old-school/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [Because of my job, my hair gets played with a lot on set, so I try to give it little bit of breathing space…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/because-of-my-job-my-hair-gets-played-with-a-lot-on-set-so-i-try-to/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [Don't worry about society's conditioning and the labels that are put on you by external forces. Hold onto your true self.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/don-t-worry-about-society-s-conditioning-and-the-labels-that-are-put/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [I've always had an ear for languages and music so it's something I'm continually working on but it's fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/i-ve-always-had-an-ear-for-languages-and-music-so-it-s-something-i-m/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [In my own life, when I'm not working, I do wear a lot of black. I think I do feel very comfortable in black.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/in-my-own-life-when-i-m-not-working-i-do-wear-a-lot-of-black-i-think/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [I like to choose things that fit my body for sure; you learn to find the things that complement your shape.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/i-like-to-choose-things-that-fit-my-body-for-sure-you-learn-to-find/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [I definitely grew up to Nina Simone and a lot of Ella Fitzgerald. And I loved Amy Winehouse. I loved that sort of soulful…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/i-definitely-grew-up-to-nina-simone-and-a-lot-of-ella-fitzgerald-and/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [One of my favourite places is Hampstead Heath. When I first moved to London, I lived in Highgate, and I would walk on the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/one-of-my-favourite-places-is-hampstead-heath-when-i-first-moved-to/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [I think, irrespective of your race, everybody has moments in life where they don't fit in, or where they try to puzzle through who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/i-think-irrespective-of-your-race-everybody-has-moments-in-life-where/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [I prefer to focus on the future. There are a lot of new stories to be heard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/i-prefer-to-focus-on-the-future-there-are-a-lot-of-new-stories-to-be/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [My personal style is somewhat androgynous and simple. With my lifestyle, I've become more of a minimalist.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/my-personal-style-is-somewhat-androgynous-and-simple-with-my/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [Because I had grown up with Jane Austen novels and period dramas, I was very familiar with that period and that world.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/because-i-had-grown-up-with-jane-austen-novels-and-period-dramas-i/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) > [I never wanted to be like anyone growing up. It's always been about the enjoyment, and I've just never wanted to imitate anyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gugu-mbatha-raw/i-never-wanted-to-be-like-anyone-growing-up-it-s-always-been-about/) [Gugu Mbatha-Raw](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) [Explore all 82 Gugu Mbatha-Raw quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gugu-mbatha-raw/) ## More Agree quotes > [Any comprehensive doctrine, religious or secular, can be introduced into any political argument at any time, but I argue that people who do this…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-rawls/any-comprehensive-doctrine-religious-or-secular-can-be-introduced/) [John Rawls](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-rawls/) > [Islam never differentiates between men and women as regards political rights and puts them on an equal footing. 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