From Conflict to Collaboration: Dr. Diana Smith's Guide to Political Healing

Healing Our Politics

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Guest: With over 40 years of experience in social science and relational dynamics, Diana holds a Master of Education and Doctorate in Consulting Psychology from Harvard University and is the author of Remaking the Space Between Us, her fourth book. Dr. Smith has spent 25 years teaching top executives, educators, and leaders to build relationships to master tough challenges.

About the Episode: In this episode, we explore that relationships must be fixed before policy to heal our politics. Diana breaks down the science of in-group–out-group thinking, extreme partisanship, and repairing relationships. We discuss leveraging biases for connection, historical decline, and how to reverse the trend. She provides playbooks to test if you are unknowingly under the influence of malevolent leaders, media, and profiteers, how to engage those you disagree with, and how to beat conspiracy theories.

Diana shares techniques for building stronger teams, reviving trust, and cultivating support, along with the behaviors of bridge-building leaders like Abe Lincoln and Nelson Mandela that you can cultivate in your leadership.

Key Topics Discussed:

· [00:01:48] “HOP” introduction

· [00:03:29] Dr. Diana Smith guest introduction

· [00:05:30] Relationships before policy to heal our politics

· [00:08:02] Healing of South Africa

· [00:09:52] Cultivate the approaches of transformational leaders

· [00:12:19] The power of curiosity

· [00:13:54] Constructive Vs. destructive challenge

· [00:16:02] Building “failure muscles”

· [00:19:37] Power of radical ownership

· [00:23:00] How to give constructive feedback

· [00:25:00] Michael Caine “Use the difficulty”

· [00:27:57] Dr. Diana’s upbringing

· [00:32:12] Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

· [00:34:14] Root of extreme partisanship

· [00:37:18] Defining “the space between us”

· [00:39:36] Environmental contributors to authoritarianism

· [00:46:44] The “problem with democracy”

· [00:48:56] Not In Our Town

· [00:53:06] Leveraging hot and cold brain systems

· [01:03:22] Benjamin Franklin on “constitutional imperfection”.

· [01:07:33] Impact of loneliness and isolation

· [01:11:50] Birds Aren’t Real

· [01:13:51] How to beat conspiracy theories

· [01:14:40] Curate media consumption for well-being

· [01:16:45] Solutions Journalism

· [01:21:26] Leveraging media for healing

· [01:24:12] Is evil real?

· [01:28:45] Test: Under the spell of a malevolent leader?

· [01:35:15] How to: Engage with those you disagree with

· [01:39:10] How to: Reform a White Nationalist

· [01:48:54] Redefine winning

· [01:53:14] Citizen’s call to action

· [01:54:12] New non-violent resistance movement

· [01:56:13] How to: Proceed through pushback

· [01:59:20] Final Takeaway: Stockdale’s Paradox

Key References and Resources Mentioned:

· [00:10:06] Amanda Ripley, Solutions Journalist, formula for hope: “This element is critical to human flourishing — yet missing from the news

· [00:25:20] Michael Caine “Use the difficulty video”

· [00:32:12] Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)

· [00:48:41] Billings MT. Not In Our Town.

· [01:11:50] Birds Aren’t Real Book + 60 Minutes Coverage

· [01:16:45] Solutions Journalism Network

· [01:22:30] Common Ground Film

· [01:44:22] 500 Groups bringing hope into existence

· [01:47:52] Sharon McMahon - Sharon Says So

· [01:59:20] Final Takeaway: Stockdale’s Paradox

Where to Find Dr. Diana Smith:

· Remaking the Space Between Us - We, the People, have become the problem. Let us become the solution. Join the tens of thousands of citizens working together across our nation to build a future that works for all. Learn how you can become the solution: The essays in Remaking the Space Between Us will inspire and empower you to work across divides for a better future for all, not just some. That may strike you as a stretch, but the stories you read in this book prove that it is possible; indeed, it is already happening, as the tens of thousands of citizens showcased in this book demonstrate. A powerful new movement is afoot. Join us!

· Diana’s Five Books

· Action Design - Action Design LLC is a consulting and education firm specializing in organizational learning and leadership development. We help leaders build the capabilities and relationships needed to sustain high levels of trust, commitment, and learning so that they are able to master their toughest challenges.

· Remaking the Space - Substack Newsletter

· LinkedIn

· Facebook

· Instagram

Where to Find Host Skippy Mesirow:

· Receive Support at the Elected Leaders Collective<...