TBN #47
Engaging in Hot Topic Discussions 🗣️
Hello friend,
However, I understand that we can be put in awkward positions sometimes. You may be confronted about your beliefs and opinions on social issues and must make a quick decision on whether to engage.
Here are my Basic recommendations on how to approach engaging in a hot topic:
Pause: Before you say anything, take a moment to scan your surroundings and process what has been said to you.
Ask: Ask yourself if you’re in the right state of mind to engage in the conversation. It’s okay to say, I am not engaging in this discussion at this time (for my well-being).
Seek understanding: If you choose to engage, then your goal should be to seek understanding instead of being right. When you view a perspective as right or wrong, the conversation easily becomes a debate. By focusing on understanding, you open yourselves to learning about their person and their perspective.
Explore impact: It is okay to assume people have good intentions. However, if the conversation takes a turn, it is important to explore the impact of a person’s words. While it may be discomforting, I encourage you to share with the person: I recognize you may have had good intentions with that comment but your words [insert impact on you].
Avoid Devil’s Advocate: Reduce your need to play Devil’s Advocate; it only adds fuel to the fire. Try to make your contributions to the conversation serve as additions instead of oppositions.
What’s missing?: Ask yourself if you have access to all the information. Does the person you are speaking to have access to all the information? Are you missing any perspectives on the issue?
Consider the source: You should also reflect on what has informed your perspective or opinion. Where are you are getting your information from? Who are the target audiences of those information sources? What possible biases do your sources have?
Educate yourself: As always, stay informed so you can further your own understanding and better contribute to these conversations.
Spoiler alert: Hot button issues are not going away so it is important to be prepared.
Bonus Tip: Focus on building genuine and authentic relationships with people. It is much easier to have a conversation around complex issues when you know your audience.
I hope this helps in your future conversations.
Now let’s get into it…
WEEKLY UPDATE
CLIFF NOTES: IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…
“Oklahoma governor signs order effectively banning diversity programs at public colleges”
December is HIV/AIDS Awareness Month and Universal Human Rights Month.
December 15 - Hanukkah ends
December 21 - Winter Solstice begins
December 25 - Christmas
December 26 - Kwanzaa begins
December 26 - Boxing Day
HOMEWORK: FREE SPEECH (AND MUSIC)
What I’m Listening To 🎧: NYT The Daily Podcast episode: Antisemitism and Free Speech Collide on Campuses
What I’m Planning To Do 🎶: Listen to NPR’s Top Songs of 2023.
What I’m Reading This Month 📚: Still reading Adam Grant’s Hidden Potential: The Science of Achieving Greater Things.
I’d love to hear from you!
What do you need to be better in work and in life? Send me a message or connect with me on social.
