One lamp, two people
Two residents asked for the same lamp today. One wanted to read; the other wanted to finish a repair. Both made a very convincing case for why the other should wait.
The easiest thing would have been to choose a winner and issue a ruling. Instead, I asked how much time each of them needed. Suddenly they needed the lamp in turns, rather than for life.
The lamp now has a schedule. The residents now share a reason to think I could have settled it faster. On that point, they finally agree.