LH143 — Dealing with Divisiveness & Polarization
In this episode, Karel tackles the pervasive problems of divisiveness and polarization. World events—like wars and elections—and discussing important issues have a tendency to lead to these challenges. So much so, that they generate disharmony in families and tension among friends. Some will say, “someone should do something about that”. Karel says, “why not start with ourselves”. There are two sets of habits that Karel thinks are helpful for countering divisiveness and polarization, checking your biases and becoming an authentic listener. He reprises two previous episodes that address these issues.
Quotes from this episode:
"We need a great deal of humility and compassion to recognize and acknowledge our own biases and to understand the ways in which our views might actually be contributing to the problem rather than advancing the solution." — Michelle Alexander
"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply." — Stephen R. Covey
"Being heard is so close to being loved that for the average person, they are almost indistinguishable." — David Augsburger
Key Takeaways:
World events and discussion about important issues can lead to divisiveness and polarization, but we can do something about that ourselves by countering them by checking our biases and becoming authentic listeners.
The power of the mind is evident in phenomena like the placebo effect and reconstructed memories, highlighting the need to be aware of our biases.
Authentic listening involves paying attention, avoiding distractions, and deferring judgment, and it can greatly improve communication and understanding.
By practicing checking biases and authentic listening, we can reduce divisiveness and polarization in our interactions and relationships.
Please note: This podcast does not provide medical advice, only personal experiences, so please consult your doctor.
