The Power of Dialogue
Mutual Respect
We are all different – because of who we are, where we come from, what we believe in, and how we live our lives. And we ALL have value as human beings. Mutual Respect is required for productive dialogue to occur
When people disagree with us over things we care deeply about, it is far too easy to jump to the conclusion that they are bad people, selfish, vindictive, stubborn, arrogant, or unreasonable.
We fail to agree constructively; we demonize them and do not show them respect.
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We think we are right; they are wrong, even evil.
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We think we are smart; they are dumb.
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We think we understand things; they just don’t get it.
If we think like this, disrespect, name-calling, and even violence can come quickly to both sides.
But...there is something that you can do. It starts by changing the way we think and act during conversations. It starts with respect.