Bridging Divides Through Intentional Conversation

There is a growing divide in America today that is stalling meaningful progress on critical issues. The impact of this stalled progress is directly damaging human lives now and may damage them even more in the future. Progress is needed to address systemic racism, global warming, access to education and healthcare, policing, and our current global coronavirus pandemic. There are many proven ways to address these issues for different circumstances, and direct and intentional interpersonal communication is a foundational start. Knowing some of the basic factors at play when we enter into a conversation with someone we may disagree with is crucial for knowing how to communicate effectively to move the conversation towards progress and potentially save lives. This presentation will explore the social identification approach and other significant factors as they apply to communication models and how understanding those factors can aid us in becoming better communicators to bridge the growing divide in America