Breaking Through Gridlock: The Power of Conversation in a Polarized World [Paperback]

Think about the last time you tried to talk with someone who didn't already agree with you about issues that matter most. How well did it go?

These conversations are vital, but too often get stuck. They become contentious or we avoid them because we fear they might. What if, in these difficult conversations, we could stay true to ourselves while enriching relationships and creating powerful pathways forward? What if our divergent values provided healthy fuel for dialogue and innovation instead of gridlock and polarization? Jason Jay and Gabriel Grant invite us into a spirit of serious play, laughing at ourselves while moving from self-reflection to action. Using enlightening exercises and rich examples,Breaking through Gridlockhelps us become aware of the role we unwittingly play in getting conversations stuck. It empowers us to share what really matters – with anyone, anywhere – so that together we can create positive change in our families, organizations, communities, and society.Contents

Exercisesx

Figuresxi

Tablesxii

Forewordxiii

Preface: How this book came to bexvii

Our journey xix

A note on our language xxii

Introduction: How to use this book1

Serious play 2

A note on the exercises 4

Introduction summary 7

1 How We Get Stuck: Breakdowns in conversation 9

The power of conversation 10

Start where you are 15

Focus on real, live conversations 17

Power plays can’t help you strengthen relationships 21

Framing breaks down in unfamiliar and polarized situations 22

Start with authenticity 26

What’s possible 27

Chapter 1 summary 28

2 (In)Authenticity: The key to getting unstuck 29

Consistency with the past can lead to getting stuck 30

Dynamic authenticity is aligned with the future 31

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