I Respectfully Disagree
Book

I Respectfully Disagree

How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World

Justin Jones-Fosu
Berrett-Koehler, 2024
First Edition: 2024

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Learning to disagree respectfully is a critical skill for anyone who wants to collaborate with others and bridge divisions in an age characterized by increasing polarization. Social entrepreneur Justin Jones-Fosu urges you to transform your approach to dialogue: When you attempt to empathize with those you disagree with, says Jones-Fosu, you might discover you have more in common than you realize. Gain insight into best practices for overcoming ideological divides and navigating tough conversations with grace — even when reaching an agreement seems impossible.

Summary

Solving humanity’s biggest problems requires overcoming polarization with a powerful mindset shift.

Many believe the world is becoming more polarized, hostile, and violent. People on opposite sides of the US political spectrum view one another as enemies of the common good, and even more serious conflicts are brewing around the world: An estimated 25% of the global population lives in regions scarred by the effects of war. However, there is a way to alter these dynamics. When people learn the art of respectful disagreement, they can see one another as fully human and find ways to work together — even when they don’t see eye-to-eye. Humanity needs this skill to collectively and constructively tackle its biggest existential challenges, like climate change. 

Transforming your approach to navigating difficult conversations requires embracing an “inclusive mindset vision”: You imagine a better world in which all humans can thrive and work to make it a reality. In this world, people treat one another as they would wish to be treated — with “value, dignity, and respect” — and honor diverse perspectives. It is...

About the Author

Social entrepreneur Justin Jones-Fosu is the CEO and founder of Work. Meaningful., an organization that helps companies engage employees and create cultures of inclusion. He is the author of Your Why Matters Now and The Inclusive Mindset.

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