In these divided times, writes Wendy Doyle, we can make connections through carefully listening to one another. (Getty Images)
Being civil seems like the bare minimum of what we owe each other, yet studies show that incivility is on the rise in our country.
A 2019 Pew Research survey found that 68% of those surveyed wanted elected officials to exhibit a tone of civility and respect in politics. Yet we watch politicians talk past each other seemingly to compete against and vanquish the other rather than solving the critical problems facing us.
I grew up in a rural area of Missouri, where my father was a public servant. He was appointed by the governor to the county clerk position, ran for many elected positions and served multiple terms. In every position, I watched him work both sides of the aisle to pass significant policy change.
These uncivil times call us to work harder than ever to be civil. We can relearn how to speak and commit to understanding rather than judging. We must dispel old, ineffective habits in conversations, such as interrupting, jumping to conclusions or dismissing others because you think we know what they are going to say.