Cultivating civility on campus in a bombastic election cycle

Key points:

• It’s key to support positive dialogue and fair-minded discussions on campus
• Using real-world tools to prepare students for the workforce
• How to identify the leaders you might be missing
• For more news on campus discourse, visit eSN’s Teaching & Learning hub

Hyatt-Fennell Executive Search is headquartered in Pennsylvania, a key swing state in the presidential election. Every day our mail is inundated with campaign ads. The occasional bill or credit card offer–You’re preapproved!–can almost feel like a welcome change. Aside from the sheer volume, I am always struck by the threatening, hyperbolic tone. Respectful dialogue seems to be an endangered species, if it’s not extinct already.

Leaders in higher education can play a significant role in fostering positive dialogue today while instilling traits of fair-minded discourse in the next generation. College is a time of exploring ideas and fostering dialogue. It is also the season in which we create habits that will last for the rest of our lives. If students don’t practice active listening and reasonable rebuttal, it is likely that they never will. It is vital that we provide students with the ability to think critically and discuss respectfully. Our example and instruction will set the tone for their political discussions for decades to come.

Here are three principles to intentionally integrate into your campus this election cycle as political tensions run high.

Emphasize empathy. Productive dialogue begins with listening attentively and understanding where the other person is coming from. Learning to truly hear another person is important not only for harmonious conversations, it’s key for ongoing relationships. Give people the benefit of the doubt. Respect their intelligence and assume good motives. Patriotism isn’t partisan. Listening empathetically leads naturally to focusing on shared values. You may completely disagree with the strategy someone advocates for addressing a problem, such as poverty, but you can heartily echo their desire to alleviate the problem.

Avoid ad hominem. In order to effectively debate ideas, we must focus on concepts, not the personalities espousing them. Personal attacks muddy the waters and degrade dialogue. If your position is a strong one, you can make your case without resorting to below-the-belt attacks.

The First Amendment enshrines the right to free speech. We must instill in students the profound responsibility that accompanies that unalienable right. Just because we can say anything without fear of criminal prosecution, doesn’t mean that there are no relational consequences. Words are powerful and what you say will affect the way others see and interact with you, for good or ill.

Repair and reconcile. Sometimes tempers flare and arguments explode. We must not only have the skills to discuss calmly, but the character to repair damage when we fail to do so. Having the courage to apologize displays commitment to a relationship and cultivates trust moving forward.

The escalation of political discourse in America today is exacerbated by the ever-widening rifts that are never mended. Students deserve better. We must model the humility and honesty to be clear about our position while still making the magnanimous gesture to work together with civility and commitment to the common good.

Final thoughts

Intense politics are a major part of our daily lives right now, and unfortunately are more divisive than ever. Students will not see respectful dialogue when they turn on the cable news channel or survey social media posts. We must provide a compelling alternative of character and civility.

We can chart a constructive path forward as we set an example for diffusing, while being careful not to suppress workplace and classroom disruptions during these weeks leading up to November 5 and beyond.

About the Author:

Cheryl Hyatt is a founding partner and CEO of Hyatt – Fennell, Executive Search Plus and President and owner of The Charitable Resources Group, Inc.