Thank you, Cherie, for this timely and practical essay! Finding an "oppositional friend" (or, better yet, a group who at one time oppose, at another encourage one another) is one of the best things that can happen to anyone who wants to grow their thinking muscles.
Excellent advice that allows for disagreement as the stuff of growth while pointing the finger of accusation back at oneself. I need the reminder to focus more on face-to-face vs. typed interactions and to measure my words and tone to reflect the way I myself would like to be treated -- with the honesty and gentleness that
Kudos for posting. This kind of hospitality "doubles-down" discussion when served with drink, dining, and dessert. About 10 years in to 20 years of hosting Five College and Cambridge profs for faculty roundtables I stopped indicating as host that we need to respect each other. Instead I remind our guest participants "to have fun." Focusing on "Respect" invites micro-aggression detection. Focusing on fun lightens the mood ~ an absolute necessity whenever possible.
Thank you, Cherie, for this timely and practical essay! Finding an "oppositional friend" (or, better yet, a group who at one time oppose, at another encourage one another) is one of the best things that can happen to anyone who wants to grow their thinking muscles.
I read this right before I was walking into a meeting with someone I knew would completely disagree with me. It was most helpful and encouraging.
Excellent advice that allows for disagreement as the stuff of growth while pointing the finger of accusation back at oneself. I need the reminder to focus more on face-to-face vs. typed interactions and to measure my words and tone to reflect the way I myself would like to be treated -- with the honesty and gentleness that
Kudos for posting. This kind of hospitality "doubles-down" discussion when served with drink, dining, and dessert. About 10 years in to 20 years of hosting Five College and Cambridge profs for faculty roundtables I stopped indicating as host that we need to respect each other. Instead I remind our guest participants "to have fun." Focusing on "Respect" invites micro-aggression detection. Focusing on fun lightens the mood ~ an absolute necessity whenever possible.