Skills for Disagreeing Better Workshop

Description

Join us at Mammen Family Public Library for this free workshop provided by Braver Angels Central Texas.

In our current political environment, many people avoid or dread political conversations with friends or family members whose politics differ from their own. They worry, rightly so, that any attempts at political discussions will devolve into arguments and acrimony and result in hurt feelings or anger.

This Braver Angels workshop teaches skills for having respectful conversations that clarify differences, search for common ground, and affirm the importance of the relationship. It also gives participants a safe environment to practice these skills.

Workshop Description

This workshop helps participants understand the values and concerns of those who differ from them politically, and it teaches essential skills for communicating across differences and finding common ground.

Why It is Needed

In this polarized time, we lack basic understanding of why people on the other political side hold their beliefs. We don’t see them as they see themselves–their core values and central concerns–but instead as we choose to see them. We are tempted to regard our own side as principled and the other side as self-interested. And when we try to communicate across this gap, we often lack the skills for listening carefully, looking for common ground, and sharing our perspectives in ways that connect rather than create more misunderstanding. We can learn to disagree better in polarized times, which means accurately seeing where we differ and where we share common ground.

Workshop Goals

? More understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically

? Better skills for listening in a way the other person feels heard

? Better skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear even if they disagree

Other Essential Information

This workshop is interactive and includes opportunities for practice and discussion.