Hyatt-Fennell Executive Search is headquartered in Pennsylvania, a key swing state in the presidential election. Every day my mail is inundated with campaign ads. Aside from the sheer volume, I am always struck by the threatening, hyperbolic tone. The mailers are emblazoned with the least flattering photos of the candidates accompanied by catastrophizing claims. My recycling bin is not the only thing becoming weighed down by this negative cacophony, it has profound effects on our civic arena as well. Respectful dialogue seems to be an endangered species, if it’s not extinct already.
Leaders in Higher Education can play a significant role in fostering positive debate today while instilling traits of fair-minded discourse in the next generation. College is a time of exploring ideas and fostering dialogue. It is also the season in which we create habits that will last for the rest of our lives. It is vital that we provide students with the ability to think critically and discuss respectfully. Here are three principles to integrate into your campus this fall as political tensions run high:
1. Emphasize empathy. Productive dialogue begins with listening attentively and understanding where the other person is coming from. Give your interlocutor the benefit of the doubt, respecting their intelligence and assuming good motives. The major political parties are both seeking the good of America, even if they vastly diverge on their approaches.
2. Avoid ad hominem. In order to effectively debate ideas, we must focus on the concepts, not the personalities espousing them. Personal attacks muddy the waters and degrade dialogue. If your position is a strong one, you can make your case without resorting to below-the-belt attacks.
3. Repair and reconcile. Sometimes tempers flare and arguments explode. We must not only have the skills to discuss calmly, but the character to repair damage when we fail to do so. Having the courage to apologize displays commitment to a relationship and cultivates trust moving forward.
