Episode #88 Find Common Ground

Five Problems

• Polarization exists not only in our world but also in our homes.
• It is much easier to find uncommon ground than it is to find common ground.
• We often villainize people based on a single disagreement, not realizing that they are actually on our team.
• Without finding common ground, no relationship can meaningfully progress.
• We tend to become meaner, angrier, and more arrogant when we live in an echo chamber of only individuals who share our perspectives.

Three Principles

• Truly understanding another’s perspective requires us to explore the full story rather than only a snippet.
• Humility allows us to cultivate curiosity and enables us to continue asking questions.
• We can explore our natural reactions to uncommon ground while still moving forward in relationship.

Five Practices

• When discovering different opinions about the way problems should be solved, begin by identifying common values.
• When differing understandings of reality don’t seem to align, ask the question, “What are some facts that we can agree upon?”
• Enter each conversation presuming that you are wrong about something.
• When you struggle to understand another’s perspective, utilize the phrase, “Help me understand.”
• Schedule a conversation today to repair a relationship that has been strained by a political issue or a difference of perspective.