The power of diversity in discussions
I was recently reminded of something very powerful. It can be a really fantastic thing to have a discussion with a group of people who have different backgrounds, opinions, feelings, ways they perceive the world, or ways they express themselves. That diversity provides a wonderfully rich environment for learning and expanding our appreciation for one another! Even more important, though, is that such conversations demonstrate trust and acceptance. To some degree, it might not even matter what the conversation is actually about. Knowing that you’re safe, accepted, and valued just as you are is an incredibly powerful thing - especially in a community like this one. While it may not always be easy, I’d encourage you to have conversations that you might not ordinarily have. Express yourself honestly and respectfully. Listen to others with the same respect. Try openly supporting someone who approaches the topic from a different angle than you do. It is ok, and they are ok. And so are you.
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@JustSophia
thank you for your thoughtful post 💛✨
@slowdecline48
I think what’s being conveyed is the importance of fostering respect toward others in a discussion, even if their opinions vastly differ from yours—especially in very heated conversations 🔥 or on topics you strongly disagree with. In such cases, it becomes crucial to approach the conversation with the intent to learn 📚, broaden your perspective 🌍, and persuade 🎯 rather than trying to 'win' the argument, as there’s never harm in discussing 🤝.
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Examples of very heated discussions (provided solely for context and relevance, without intending to open or engage in any of these debates):
US Elections (Trump vs. Biden, or Kamala Harris vs. potential GOP candidates) 🗳️
Abortion Laws ⚖️
Luigi the CEO Killer Case 💼🔪
Israel-Palestine Conflict 🕊️
Death Penalty ⚔️
Transgender Athletes in Sports 🏅
Gender Identity 🌈
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I chose some of the most polarizing and emotionally charged topics ⚡ to give you a sense of discussions that often lead to strong disagreements, conflict, and a lack of productive dialogue 😡🗣️. I've always ever seen these kinds of discussions turn into trying to make the other side look as ridiculous as possible 🤦♂️, instead of actually discussing productively 💬.
The approach mentioned above fosters intellectual growth 🧠 with, as Sophia mentioned, exposure to diverse perspectives 🌐 and openness to new ideas 💡.
@JaceWayland
Thank you so much, Jace, for your thoughtful response. I really appreciate your ideas and they got me to thinking (to the point!) about how to define a good conversation. I decided it’s really about whether or not we’re leaving space for others. For example:
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Disrespectful/invalidating position: |
Respectful position: |
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“I’m right and you’re wrong.” |
“I think I’m right but I might be wrong.” or even: “I’m right, but I respect you and your position. Tell me more about it/why you think that way.” |
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“You’re weird” |
“You’re interesting. Tell me about how you perceive the world.” |
Yes, I’d agree that arguing is not ok. I’d say trying to persuade isn’t either, actually, if it falls into that strict mindset of “I’m right and you’re wrong”. Advocacy is ok, maybe.
What do others think about this?
Also, I know you’re not really saying we should talk about the subjects you brought up in your post, but it brings up a good point to remember. I think that whatever complicated topics we talk about in a group space ought to be ones relevant to the site’s purpose. That goes for both member and Listener spaces. I see one in your list that might be very important.
Jace, I love your willingness to participate so fully in this discussion, and it really inspired me to think. THANK YOU!
-Sophia
"Try openly supporting" might be asking a bit much, depending on the topic at hand. The rest is very good.
@slowdecline48
Thank you so much for your post (and the compliment!). I really appreciate your willingness to share your point of view. This is exactly what makes conversation richer.
As for people trying to support those who present themselves differently, perceive the world differently, or have differing ideas... you may be right. People may not want to do this, or feel comfortable with it. That's ok. I do want to encourage and remind those that do feel comfortable to continue to speak up and be role models for the community.
I value hearing your thoughts. Thank you!-Sophia
@JustSophia Great Post and a great reminder to all of us. Everyone is unique and what they think and how they think is ok.
@JustSophia
I completely agree; diverse perspectives create an understanding that helps us grow individually and as a community. It's true that the content of the conversation often takes a backseat to the feeling of trust, safety, and acceptance that such discussions foster. This practice not only deepens connections but also expands our capacity for empathy and mutual support. Thank you for sharing this thoughtful perspective. It’s a wonderful call to action for all of us to engage more meaningfully with one another.
@Jenna
Thank you so much, Jenna. 💙
@JustSophia
I agree! Thanks for the post and the tag. Hoping to have awesome meaningful conversations here💚
@JustSophia Love this post - one of the great reasons I love 7 Cups
@SoulfullyAButterfly
couldn't agree more
reminds me of this quote:
"We need to give each other the space to grow, to be ourselves, to exercise our diversity. We need to give each other space so that we may both give and receive such beautiful things as ideas, openness, dignity, joy, healing, and inclusion." – Max de Pree
thanks for championing for diversity and encouraging it in our community Sophia!
@Heather225
Exactly. Thanks for your support. 😊
@JustSophia
Hi Sophia! 😊 ❤️
Thank you so very much for your incredibly insightful as well as thought provoking forum post! Thank you for also tagging me, for knowing in your heart of hearts, ❤️ that I'd like to show up for you and show up for this!
Your thoughts deeply resonate with me! It's as if I have heard angels sing 😇. It's a beautiful moment to know that another teammate has the very same mindset! I hope many will read your well written post and consider all that you have said.
I have said so many times around here that for me, one of the signs of a great leader is that they surround themselves with a wide and diverse set of highly intelligent people and then you listen to them. You glean from them. (Just as you mentioned, here on 7 cups, captive audience💡-fantastic observation). *hat tip* 🎩 to @Heather225 as this is one of their M.O.'s. They got this!
I feel that your perspective is in true alignment with many of my thoughts..."there is unity in diversity". To feel that way is to understand that we are all really more alike than we are different. To pick apart another, instantly go to "we are so different, just cannot relate" might show that someone isn't taking much of a humanistic approach. We all have hearts, souls, a pulse. We all have needs, we all hurt in some way. We all have dreams, wishes, aspirations. We all bleed the same color.
Going into it all with the attitude of "first seek to understand and only then to be understood" can be a wonderful learning opportunity that enriches us and helps us to grow as people. I agree with you and completely that having that attitude can build a bridge from one person to another that fosters safe and healthy dialogue where trust is established.
I kind of feel like, if you really want to learn something, go have a discussion with someone that may have a difference of opinion. You could potentially learn a great deal, come away with a new perspective, have a great deal of empathy for another as they came to these conclusions somehow. It can be interesting to find out what is at the root of the thought pattern, what is it that is "driving that bus".
You could potentially renew the other parties faith in humanity that not all people that think differently than they do are "all bad". One good way to help with that is to listen, to truly really listen which is vastly different than just listening to respond. Instead of building your argument while another speaks, just really listen to them. It's not a competition. You aren't there to win. You aren't there to defeat. You are there to learn. Feeling the need to "win" is an ego move and not a good one (one could learn about themselves and think why it is that they feel the need to behave that way....yet another learning opportunity). 😊
If you make it a safe environment, soft spot to land, both parties might learn a lot and walk away being friends. It's okay to think differently. It's good to share knowledge and one another's "truth". Even if you feel strongly about your thoughts, hey, guess what, you gained more knowledge by listening to what another said and it could even strengthen and reaffirm your thought process and that's okay too.
Sophia, thank you again for such a brilliant post! Impressive!💡 Well done my friend, well done! 😊
*high fives* 😊 and *hugs* ❤️
Well said Gizmo this is full of amazing points
*high fives*
@JaceWayland
Many thanks my friend! 😊 ❤️
*high fives* 😊 and big *hugs* ❤️
@JustSophia Interesting! 😊 I think that to respect that other people may have different views than oneself is very important.