Constructive Communication and  Dialogue

Everyone has different perspectives on values, so communication and learning are important. When we share and discuss, societal values become stronger because people can understand the reasons for keeping them. People can also learn to appreciate the opinions of others, regardless of their backgrounds, and have empathy. This process is called constructive communication and dialogue.

This is more important in today’s world where people feel strongly about things like religion, politics, and science. Communication should be respectful and based on facts to become meaningful. A lack of respectful communication reinforces biases, undermines our values, and allows people with no good intentions to sow discord and hinder the progress of everyone. In addition, they divert attention from things that matter. Be open-minded too, and even if you aren’t ready to let new information inform your values, be willing to understand why it might inform others. Share your thoughts/ideas respectfully. 

Was there a time when a conversation didn’t go well? What happened? What could you have done differently to make things better?

Constructive, respectful communication is harder than ever. What can help you succeed at it?

1. Avoid personal attacks and stick to facts. Focus on the topic, not the person. Hurtful things won’t help the conversation. Stay calm.

2. If you don’t know much about something, be honest about it. If it’s your opinion, make that clear, instead of trying to present it as facts.

3. Pay attention to what the other person is saying. Don’t just wait for your turn to speak and dominate. Be receptive to their responses.

4. Express your feelings with ‘I’ statements. The other person might feel that you are sincere.

5. Seek common ground. Acknowledge a shared interest or outcome. For example, ‘We both want our community to be happy…’.  Shared interests make conversation easier.

6. Not everyone would agree with you and vice versa. Try to understand the thought process behind their views and learn something new, even if you don’t change your mind. Peaceful coexistence is not impossible.