April Office Hours Agenda

Fixed-Mindsets.jpg

How to talk with someone who has a fixed mindset on a particular issue (no, this is not an April Fools joke).

Have you had a conversation with friends or family about who should or shouldn't have—or who did or didn't win the presidential election in 2020? If you're like most people, you immediately aligned with those who believed as you do and were immediately repelled by those who do not believe as you do. How can they be so misguided? And how can they be so entrenched in their position when they are sooooo misguided?

In this conversation, we will discuss having conversations about issues that polarize people with people who are already polarized. So that you don't assume that we have some magic Jedi mind trick, we believe that you start with you—why do you feel the need to convince somebody that you are right and they are wrong? Is this issue worth fighting over and alienating friends and family in the process? What responsibility do you play for your own fixed position, as the old adage "it takes two to tango" could not be more relevant in this scenario.

Attendees will leave with the following takeaways:

  • Attendees will realize that when we think someone else is entrenched in their position, we also are likely entrenched in our own position and beliefs;

  • Attendees might more deeply reflect on their beliefs and objectives, and whether they are really “True,” before worrying about others’ beliefs and objectives;

  • Attendees will have more tools to determine whether this type of conversation is worth pursuing in the first place, and how we can preserve our own sanity by avoiding these conversations when they are unnecessary;

  • In the community association context, attendees will be better able to spot lack of context, lack of complete information and/or emotional thinking that is getting in the way of a mutual understanding of a topic;

  • Attendees will be able to see ourselves and the fixed positions that we hold, and consequently approach other people with more compassion and respect.

Admin