Gurteen Knowledge Blog May 21, 2023, 14:56
In this video, Irshad Manji highlights the importance of harnessing diversity to unite society. She shares five critical skills for constructive conversations:
- deep breathing for rational thinking
- finding common ground
- genuinely exploring others’ perspectives
- active listening to learn
- encouraging further dialogue
She proposes that adopting these skills fosters healthier outcomes and collaboration. Also, reflecting on our intentions and choosing a genuine desire to solve problems over asserting moral superiority enables us to leverage diversity for the greater good.
It’s good advice, but I think there are a few prerequisites we need to accept before any conversation across divides can begin. We need to:
- Be prepared to question and revise our beliefs.
- Cease seeing each other as enemies.
- Be prepared to talk to people with whom we disagree.
- Be willing to trust each other and engage in good faith.
- Be able to show respect for each other and each other’s ideas.
- Be willing to abide by some rules of engagement.
- Be ready to learn how to have impossible conversations.
In my blook, I have written more about these prerequisites in the post, Rethinking our Beliefs.
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Tags: active listening (7) | collaboration (9) | common ground (1) | dialogue (60) | diversity (5) | global society (21) | Irshad Manji (1) | polarization (13) | rationality (7)
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Photo Credits: Midjourney (Public Domain)