This is the second of three posts about a workshop: 7 Habits for Communicating Across Difference at UnCollege, the revolutionary gap year program for self-directed learning founded by Thiel Fellow and education changemaker Dale Stephens.
| The 7 Habits I propose: | ... What are yours? |
Habit 4: Know Oneself
Goal: Know Your "Continuum of Conflict" Profile
Skills:
Skills:
- To develop awareness about the continuum of values that often lead to conflict
- To know where one falls on each continuum
- To understand how to recognize these common differences between individuals
- To develop awareness to look for diversity among individuals even within "stereotypical groups"
- To cultivate a vocabulary to celebrate differences
Cultivating Cultural Humility
How does your environment/experience influence your perspective? Are the bold vertical lines the same or different lengths?
(a) People acculturated to perspective see the right-hand line as longer than the left.
(b) As background lines do not suggest a perspective, one can see the lines are the same length.[1]
(a) People acculturated to perspective see the right-hand line as longer than the left.
(b) As background lines do not suggest a perspective, one can see the lines are the same length.[1]
Identifying Points of Variation around Common Subjects: The Continua of Conflict
- Variations around Social Structure
- Variations around Time
- Variations around Power
- Variations around Communication Style
- Variations around Information and Decisions
Many core values and beliefs fall on a continuum; several of these continua are common sources of conflict. These continua provide an opportunity to determine one's preferences and style. To know oneself is the first step to cultivating the capacity to recognize when and where diverging perspectives may arise around everyday issues. Applying this skill to familiar aspects of daily life, one develops “cultural humility.”
By looking at the many ways that individuals vary even within a group, it is possible to see beyond “stereotypes." The ability to ask questions with open-hearted curiosity about what things mean to another person affording the opportunity to become an explorer in the adventure of everyday life. See "Read More" for full set of continuum of conflict.
By looking at the many ways that individuals vary even within a group, it is possible to see beyond “stereotypes." The ability to ask questions with open-hearted curiosity about what things mean to another person affording the opportunity to become an explorer in the adventure of everyday life. See "Read More" for full set of continuum of conflict.
Habit 5: Communicate Across Differences
Goal: Communicate Across Differences
Skills:
Skills:
- To acknowledge differences
- To bridge differences by normalizing different perspectives
- To connect from difference to common ground
References/Resources
[1] Whitehouse, Roger. The Uniqueness of Individual Perception, in Information Design, ed. Jacobsen, R. MIT Press, 1999.
[2] Continuum of Conflict adapted from: Avruch K, Culture & Conflict Resolution, United States Institute of Peace Press, 1998. Chew PK, The Conflict & Culture Reader, NYU Press 2001. LeBaron M, Bridging Cultural Conflicts, Jossey-Bass Press, 2003. "Mapping Cultures: Strategies for Effective Intercultural Negotiations" in Second Tractk/Citizens' Diplomacy, edited by J. Davies and E. Kaufman. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.: 149-160. Moore, C.W. and Peter Woodrow. 2002. As well as Myers-Briggs Literature.
[2] Continuum of Conflict adapted from: Avruch K, Culture & Conflict Resolution, United States Institute of Peace Press, 1998. Chew PK, The Conflict & Culture Reader, NYU Press 2001. LeBaron M, Bridging Cultural Conflicts, Jossey-Bass Press, 2003. "Mapping Cultures: Strategies for Effective Intercultural Negotiations" in Second Tractk/Citizens' Diplomacy, edited by J. Davies and E. Kaufman. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.: 149-160. Moore, C.W. and Peter Woodrow. 2002. As well as Myers-Briggs Literature.
Post 1 [Habit 1, 2, 3] | Post 2 [Habit 4, 5] | Post 3 [Habit 6, 7]
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