Systemic American Disregard
Are your daily discussions characterized by bickering, intractability, and escalating, rude, or unresolvable arguments? Take the lead. Learn to effectively communicate. Learn to listen.
We (yes, America, WE) lack simple, unselfish civility in discourse. Our society now values the insensitive "winning" of all arguments. This has evolved into one-way monologues that promote ourselves at all costs. Is one-upsmanship the new normal? Is true dialogue now extinct?
Our role models have been parents, teachers, mentors, supervisors, public leaders and other authority figures who often interject and impose their ideas to always gain the upper hand.
In daily discourse and all aspects of life, we need to acquire both presentation and listening skills. Our presentation should be evidence-based and concise. Our active listening should include attending, responding, and personalizing behaviors.
Our "self-awareness" must include self-monitoring during discussion. Good character includes self-control - not overriding or interrupting, and frequently pausing to allow responses.
In healthy, civil discussion between parties, each contributes, each is heard, each receives new knowledge, and, ideally, each gains wisdom.