A recent survey out of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln found that one in five friendships have been damaged because of a political argument. However, the study also showed that although it seems like people misunderstand each other, most people don't have views that are wildly dissimilar.
The old adage goes that you should never discuss religion or politics, but this research suggests the opposite – the more conversations you have with someone with a different view than your own, the more likely that person is to understand that view.
A recent study in the Harvard Business Review asked thousands of people to write responses to political statements in which they disagreed. The researchers then evaluated how receptive people were to the statements and came up with four strategies to help people see each other’s side:
Acknowledge the other person’s perspective.
Hedge your claims.
Phrase your arguments in positive terms.
Point to areas of agreement, even if small or obvious.
"When we appear receptive to listening to and respecting others' opposing positions, they find our arguments to be more persuasive," Francesca Gino, who worked on the study, wrote in the Harvard Business Review. "In addition, receptive language is contagious: It makes those with whom we disagree more receptive in return. People also like others more and are more interested in partnering with them when they seem receptive."
So the takeaway is, we can all just get along…after having a positive and constructive conversation.
