This election seasonhas been surprising.The candidates, their rhetoricand the campaign strategieshave been unprecedented,yet effective in many ways.The conversations have oftenfelt unbelievable and insane.
Sometimes in our own relationshipsat work and at home,our interactions can seemdisrespectful, confrontational and ineffective.
I was in a class recentlyand the teacher proposeda SANE model of dialoguethat we can all usein our daily interactions.
Self-Awareness: Get in touch with your thoughts, feelings and non-verbal communication. Ask yourself, “What do I think about ____?” or “How am I coming across?”
Authenticity: Be real. Say what you mean and be genuine. Speak your truth.
Non-Judgmental listening: Hear what the other is truly saying. Listen before you start rebutting. Recognize that what is said and what you hear may not be the same.
Empathy: Connect with what the other person is experiencing or feeling. Think about what the bridge is between your experience and theirs.
As we move the dialogue forward in this election,and in all of our other communications,let’s practice SANE conversations.Doing so could generate respect, elevate discussionsand possibly unite parties with different perspectives.