With courses in writing, research and design, Belmont PR students leave the classroom bursting at the seams with the information that readies them to be well-rounded PR practitioners. These lessons learned both in the classroom and in application through internships are what empower graduates to take the next steps towards building their careers and professional lives.To see what has resonated with our upperclassmen students, December and April public relations graduates were asked to share their thoughts on what will stick with them most as they move forwards towards their next chapter.
What’s the most important thing you’ve learned in a PR class or internship?
“Writing is central to everything PR. Whether writing press releases, creating content for social media, pitching to media, writing blog posts, etc., you must be an amazing writer.” – Katie McAdams, Class of 2020
“The most important thing that I have learned is to do your best and know that you are more than qualified. Imposter syndrome is real, but don’t let it overwhelm and become who you are!” – Aliah Tayyun, Class of 2021
“Everyone grows at different rates.” – Rachel Smith, Class of 2021
“Professional and academic kindness matters! Taking moments to be gracious, accommodating and collaborative to those around you is a cumulative and empowering habit to adopt. It’s the decent thing to do, and you never know where it will come in handy. There is strength in hospitality, and it makes you a better leader overall.” – Lucy Walsh, Class of 2021
“Connections are absolutely everything. Provide them for other people and take advantage of the ones people provide you with.” – Sophia Johnson, Class of 2021
“One of the most valuable lessons I’ve learned as a PR student is to always have a solution in mind to any problem I may have. PR professionals love to describe themselves as problem-solvers, and I have learned the true definition of that. I always try to come to my professor or supervisor with a solution to the problem I am about to present to them.” – Rileigh Skelton, Class of 2021
“You don’t have to reinvent the wheel.” – Kaitlyn Drzewiecki, Class of 2020
“You are taught so much valuable information in class, but it means nothing if you don’t get out there and live out what you’ve learned in the classroom. Apply to internships, reach out to your advisors and alumni, and make the most of your education by coupling it with real-world experience.” – Emily Stembridge, Class of 2020
“The most important thing from an internship I’ve learned is to be able to make myself important! Volunteering to use my skills I’ve learned at Belmont in my internships has made me a valuable resource to each organization!” – Shelby Cage, Class of 2021
Lucy Walsh is a senior public relations and publishing student from Evansville, Indiana. She serves as an executive board member of Belmont’s PRSSA chapter and as the editor of the PR at Belmont blog.
Welcome to 2021, where the title above is now applicable to a majority of working Americans, as well as college students (hey, that’s you!) This shift in day-to-day routine has posed no shortage of problems, and innately, humans are afraid of change. Have no fear though, because I’m going to outline three helpful tips on making your work from home experience a lot less drab, and a lot MORE fab.
Do not work from home in your grubby oversized t-shirt and pajama pants. Though it is incredibly tempting to roll out of bed and go to class, will this produce your best results? It is often stated that when you look good, you feel good. Would you be embarrassed if your crush could see your Christmas tree printed pajama pants from 2012? Then maybe put on something slightly nicer and incorporate a “getting ready” step into your daily routine. Even if getting ready simply means putting on a cute pair of sweatpants and actually brushing your hair, it’s better than nothing.
A routine doesn’t have to be a rut. Allow yourself freedom within your routine, but sticking to a somewhat solid routine can help keep some level of normalcy in your day. Dedicating certain times for work and class, and separating those hours from your own personal time can make all of the difference in feeling more productive.
My final tip on making your work from home experience more fabulous, is to dedicate a space in your home to work, and work only. Not everyone is blessed enough to have a home office with French doors and the whole nine yards, but your kitchen table or a desk in the corner of your dorm will suffice and can be just as good of a workspace. Be sure your space makes you feel comfortable, and productive. Add a little flair by including fun desk supplies or hanging up some motivational quotes in your space. Separating your workspace from your relaxing space can also help with normalcy and routinization.
With these tips, I hope you’re able to modify your work from home routine to become the best at-home student/worker you can be. Work hard, stay safe, and take care of yourself!
Cameron Corey is a senior public relations and corporate communications student at Belmont University.
The 2021 Arthur W. Page Center Awards recognize leaders who dedicate their careers to communicating information to the public. Their biggest goals throughout the year are to strengthen trust with the public and honoring those who are a part of that goal by working with scholars around the world. This award ceremony recognized four individuals for their careers of ethically and responsibly communicating with the public by receiving a Larry Foster Award for Integrity in Public Communication.
The first honoree of the night, Dr. Anthony Fauci, is a long-time Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Dr. Fauci’s first piece of advice given during his speech was, “Know your audience.” As a Social Media Management major, I feel as if this is one of, if not the most important information for creating content. If one does not know who they are creating or designing for, it can be hard to curate work.
The next honoree was Bill Heyman, who is the founder and CEO of Heyman Associates. His company is responsible for filling top communications roles for some of the most recognized brands in the world. Heyman states that he lives by his mother’s advice of valuing and cultivating relationships, while also recognizing the importance of character. Being a college student, you are always told that these years should be all about networking. While social media revolves entirely around people, it is important to make those connections and surround yourself that will not only help your future but better you as a person.
Later we heard remarks made by Eugene Robinson, Editor, and Columnist at the Washington Post, who focuses on politics and culture in his twice-a-week posts. When asked a question about what tips Robinson had for recent communication graduates on remaining honest and ethical, he stated: “You know what’s right and what’s wrong. There is the right job out there for you and if the one you have now is not the right, there are lots of people who will help you find the right one.” Not only in the field of public relations, but in any field, it is important to enjoy your job and want to do the ethical thing no matter the circumstance.
For the last honoree for the Page Center Awards, we heard from Judy Woodruff, Anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour (fun fact: Woodruff has covered every presidential election since 1976). During this ceremony, we learn that Woodruff has been quoted to say, “There is no such thing as objectivity, but that you do your best to be fair.” Personally, I feel that that is such an important aspect when it comes to any job or lifestyle. In day-to-day encounters, judgment should be based on observations and uninfluenced by emotions or personal prejudices.
Sydney Miller is a social media management student from Mount Juliet, Tennessee and is a member of Belmont University’s class of 2022.
It’s no question that this has been a time of great challenges. With these hardships, came new opportunities, one of which was the expansion of the digital landscape. Students around the globe are learning remotely, interviewing digitally and navigating the work from home life.
Director of the Office of Career & Professional Development Mary Claire Dismukes and four panelists recently dove into the unique challenges and opportunities presented in the “year of Zoom” in a new Belmont & Beyond event. Panelists included Jimmy Davis, professor of communication studies, Jeremy Fyke, assistant professor of communication studies, Mabry Culp, Belmont alumna and staffing services associate at Google, and Ronnie Ross, senior regional recruitment manager at City Year.
Below are to three key tips on how to ensure that you thrive in your new life online, make the most of opportunities to connect with other and take on the challenges of new technology.
• Be prepared for technology to fail.
While months of virtual work and school have given time to address technological issues and further adapt to an online world, technology is not infallible. Davis shared his experience with BlackBoard Collaborate and the struggles students faced in adapting to remote learning. While he hoped for a smooth transition to the online classroom, some days the failure of technology was simply out of his hands. “My students had huge hardware issues. No one was prepared for the move to an online classroom,” Davis explained.
Ross recommends always testing your technology before putting it to use in a real-life situation. Before hopping on an interview or class session, be sure to check that your technology is ready to go. Give yourself at least a few minutes to test your mic, check to see if your camera is working and make sure you have all of the materials you need to be successful.
• Stay on your toes.
No one expected a global pandemic, nor did anyone foresee the worldwide transition to living life online. With no certain end to the pandemic in sight, it’s crucial to be able to adapt to whatever changes may still come.
When asked how her job at Google has evolved over the course of the past year, Culp said, “I think the focal point in pivoting this year has been Google’s responsibility to be helpful.” In the midst of COVID-19, billions of people are scouring the internet for information about the pandemic, resources of medical advice and even just how to stay afloat. So, Google implemented a screening test to provide searchers with information that is more relevant and easily accessible. Culp noted that while this improved the way searchers get information, the process isn’t complete.
In light of the pandemic and limited in-person experiences, this applies to all fields and industries in our current societal context. A co-worker may be diagnosed with COVID-19 and result in the closure of the office. Your company may transition to a hybrid model including remote work and office work. So, be flexible and prepare to adapt as new developments arise.
• Be intentional about cultivating connection.
Making connections and fostering community while remote is difficult to say the least. So many of us who have graduated recently or are graduating soon, are faced with the hurdle of online job-hunting. With the job search comes applications. With applications come interviews. Interview look drastically different now than they did pre-pandemic. In fact, almost all interviews are being conducted virtually. For current and formers students that are beginning new jobs, onboarding processes are more difficult than ever online, not to mention bonding with co-workers. Across the globe, individuals and companies are struggling to create and maintain relationships in a time of separation.
Working with organizational leaders in the virtual space, Fyke has found that building trust and rapport in a virtual work environment has been his biggest teaching subject in demand. So, how can we still create and maintain connections? Ross says video calls can help. In fact, he recommends doing a visual scan of the background on Zoom calls or other videocommunications to spark conversation. “I interviewed someone the other day, and they had a St. Louis Blues poster behind them. They just won the Stanley Cup not too long ago, so I used sports to make a connection with him,” Ross said. “I remember that guy and the conversation we had.”
Ross also encourages individuals to focus on being themselves and showing true authenticity. This couldn’t be more important. While interviews and introductions in the digital age can be intimidating, being true to yourself is the most important component to creating connection. Don’t be afraid to be you! On another note, especially in light of the challenging time we are all living in, being genuine is of the utmost importance. Further, being extra kind and understanding is absolute requirement as we all continue to do our best to navigate the world both online and offline. Show compassion. Reach out to co-workers. Ask people how they’re doing…and mean it. And of course, don’t forget to show that same care and concern for yourself.
Katie McAdams is a 2020 graduate of Belmont University.
The COVID-19 pandemic catapulted the world into strange and unfamiliar territory. As college students, it is easy to feel like time and crucial life moments are being ripped away from us. I can admit that I am definitely one of those people who wishes almost every day that COVID-19 did not exist and I got to experience all of the study abroads, campus activities and in-person internships that I had lined up for the rest of my college career.
But unprecedented times also call for unprecedented opportunities. We’re living in a virtual world, and it’s time to start taking advantage of the ability to intern and learn from anywhere. Throughout the past year, I have had the opportunity to intern virtually for four different companies and have worked with dozens of people that I may never meet in person. I’ve reflected on all of my experiences and put together a list of the top tips I have for interning in a COVID-19 world.
1. Capitalize on your ability to work anywhere.
Virtual opportunities have opened up a new and vast field of internships and the best part is, it doesn’t matter where you live. You can connect with companies from all over the world from your dorm room. And don’t let a little thing like time zones stop you! This past summer, I was prepared to move to London for two months to start my first ever internship and experience a new environment. Little did I know that I would still be able to experience the company culture and clientele of the UK through my computer screen, despite being stuck in my childhood bedroom. There was a five hour time difference, but I was still able to interact with my coworkers regularly and gain valuable experience.
2. Communication is key.
Communication is one of the most important aspects of any working relationship, but it becomes even more so when you don’t see each other face to face. Sometimes it is difficult to know exactly what people are asking for in an email. Keep in mind that the companies you are interning with are there to help you learn and grow, and that it’s okay to ask for help. I have found that problems get solved much faster when I’ve asked to hop on a Zoom call to talk things through rather than figuring it out on my own or through email threads.
3. Look for the open doors instead of dwelling on the closed ones.
This past year has been tough on all of us and sometimes it can be easy to focus on what has been lost. Instead, find ways to turn those closed doors into new opportunities. I had my heart set on going to Belmont East in the spring 2021 semester, but the pandemic had different plans. Despite this loss, I was still able to secure an internship based in New York City with a company I love, in a position I may never have come across if my original plan had panned out. Another benefit to waiting means that I will start off my semester in New York this fall with warm weather, instead of the freezing cold. When you find something blocking your path, pivot and you could find something unexpected and great.
4. Working from home also means working comfortably.
A virtual work environment gives students a chance to slowly acclimate themselves to the workplace. Although the professional world is nearing, virtual internships give you the ability to still dress like a college student and go to work in a sweatshirt or whatever you are comfortable in. On the days that it is hard to get out of bed in the morning, your commute is five steps to your computer rather than 15 minutes on the highway.
2020 is not at all how I pictured my sophomore and junior years of college, but the experiences I’ve had helped me to grow personally and professionally in ways I could not have imagined. Throughout your internship searches, remember that we’re all in the same boat. If you’re worried about not having enough experience to prepare you for life after graduation, don’t be. With the plethora of opportunities out there, virtual internships are great options for advancing your skills and confidence!
Bronwyn Milne is a junior public relations student from Milton, Georgia with minors in corporate communications and fashion studies. She is currently interning with The Decker & Royal Agency, which specializes in travel and hospitality PR and is based in New York City. In her free time, she enjoys cirque du soleil, reading and traveling.
From a fast-growing Christian university in the heart of Nashville, TN, Georgia McKee sets the standard for how students can use their voices to spark change and become something so much bigger than themselves. Hailing from Frisco, TX, McKee is a Faith and Social Justice major at Belmont University. She committed to Belmont in 2014 as a catcher for the university’s softball team and has been an influential member of the student community since stepping foot on campus in the fall of 2017.
To fully understand how McKee models civil discourse for her peers, it is important to define civil discourse first. Civil discourse is the act of engaging in a respectful, honest, and productive conversation that involves equal parts of listening and talking. By no means does civil discourse mean always agreeing with someone else. It is about finding a way to respect and accept different opinions. While McKee was never asked to provide her own definition of civil discourse, she did define social justice. In McKee’s case, many would consider her more of a social justice activist, however, she utilizes civil discourse in her social justice activities. According to McKee, social justice is “the process of holing accountability to systems and people for the greater good of human flourishing.” Social Justice and civil discourse go hand in hand. It is impossible to achieve successful social justice activism without meaningful civil discourse.
As soon as Belmont University announced it would be hosting the final 2020 Presidential Debate, McKee applied to be part of the Student Engagement team. Despite the student body’s fears concerning the debate due to rising political tensions associated with the 2020 election, McKee saw this as an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than herself. “I see politics as an opportunity for justice and love,” said McKee. “It is a very powerful part of our society and so we need people to engage with it in ways that are constructive and full of love and really thoughtful.” For 11 months, McKee worked with other Belmont students to create programs to engage students with the debate and make them excited. Her work on the team focused on engaging students in discussing the relationship between religion and politics, voting, and engaging in politics and party while still being a religious person. “Without discussion and without proper knowledge of what is going on in the world and what the person who lives next to you thinks, we’re never going to get anywhere.”
(McKee speaking at the Black Lives Matter protest in Frisco, TX. Photo courtesy of Georgia McKee)
In the midst of the Black Lives Matter movement, McKee made Dallas headlines in June, 2020, when she organized a massive march through her hometown. To stand in solidarity with the black community, so she planned to just stand on the side of a road by herself. “I thought maybe some of my high school friends or anyone would want to join me, so I threw something up on social media and it caught wildfire,” she says of the march. “Within 24 hours, 5000 people showed up and we shut down the largest street in our hometown.” Sharon Grisby with the North Dallas News reported, “I’ve watched a lot of powerful local responses to the heinous tragedy, but the one that’s most stuck with me was the 2,000-strong — and by some estimates much larger — swarm of Frisco residents, including Mayor Jeff Cheney and Police Chief David Shilson, marching Monday along Eldorado Parkway.” The Frisco March marked an important place in the Black Lives Matter Movement because a town largely known for living in a white, suburban bubble shattered its own stereotype and came together to stand in solidarity with marginalized communities.
Following her success in Frisco, McKee was asked to speak at two collegiate athletic panels about student social justice. The first panel, College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA), asked McKee to speak regarding student-athlete activism. This year, McKee was asked to discuss student-athlete activism for a second time at the NCAA organization-wide conference where she shared what student-athlete activists need from athlete administrations to encourage peers to use their voices for subjects that matter to them and their culture. Student-athletes are in a special position in the collegiate world because they have a platform that other students may not have. “In athletics, a lot of times our names are plastered everywhere and our stats are plastered everywhere. It’s all about our athletic ability and our name,” McKee said. “How can we use that platform for the greater good of something far beyond athletics?”
No matter what she was talking about, there were two omnipresent themes in everything McKee said: Intention and willingness to change your mind. When receiving media attention for her efforts in Frisco, McKee said, “I never planned for that protest to be big, I never wanted to be interviewed by newspapers and news channels. I’ve had to take a lot of steps back in the past year of really recognizing my intentions and recognizing how I’m going about conversations with my peers and my actions regarding social justice.” She revealed how she’s struggled with navigating her activism as a young, white woman and how she really had to evaluate why she believed what she did and her motivations to take action, which is what brought her to the decision that she had to be willing to change her mind. She had to be willing to learn. “The past four years of my college experience, I have found that being willing to change my mind is very important to me. I think that’s been the biggest theme during my past four years at Belmont…If we aren’t willing to change our mind, if we aren’t willing to have conversations with people, we’re going to be stuck in this gridlock of anger and hate.”
In her final comments, she offers advice to students entering the professional world. “It’s great to share words with each other, I love words, I think they’re really powerful…but people our age need to listen more. We need to reevaluate our intentions, listen to people who do not think like us even if it makes us angry. Listen to people’s intentions, ask questions. Don’t just make assumptions. Before we put labels on people, ask them questions about why do you think this, what lead you to believe what you believe now to be true? We will be better employees, we will be better citizens and we will be better neighbors.”
McKee will graduate from Belmont this April. She plans to continue her education with a Master’s in Divinity studying the intersection between religion and politics in America.
For more information on the importance of civility, please visit our website to learn more about our campaign.
These days, the world seems more polarized than ever. It’s hard to say anything without angering someone. Heated conversations exist around every corner, and most people are walking on eggshells trying not to prompt a debate from the opposing team. Sometimes, trying to avoid those conversations carries over into your home life. It has become even more common that children attempt to break the mold of their parents’ more traditional values. This dynamic can create a great amount of tension between you and your loved ones – making an environment awkward and, sometimes even, hostile.
This is a dilemma we encounter every Thanksgiving. The classic overly, dramatic argument with your uncle or grandma when you’re supposed to be giving thanks. Professionals refer to this type of disagreement as “false-consensus bias” or believing that everyone thinks the same way as us. When confronted with an opposing belief, it’s hard for our brains to comprehend that these family members would not automatically take our side. Their agreement seems so obvious to us. It’s so common that each year around the holidays there now exists a social media trend revolving around users joking about their intent to purposely “ruin” dinner. However, studies show that this abrasive methodology is not the recipe for success. Rather, being more open-minded to what others think and believe results in others being more likely to listen to your main topic points.
So next time you encounter an awkward or controversial topic at dinner, try these tips:
1. Appreciate the Value of Opposing Views
Acknowledge that individual differences can expand our worldview. This appreciation can help us better understand why things happen a certain way and how people react and operate in different situations. Having a diverse perspective also can help you grow as a person and it can even help strengthen your argument.
2. Remain Calm
Recognize that not everyone is well-versed in the practice of civil discourse. It’s important to understand that some individuals might become angry or even hostile during exchanges of ideas. They may not know how to have civil conversations involving differing views. One way to teach them how to better exchange thoughts is by keeping your cool. Don’t stoop to their level.
3. It’s Not Personal
Don’t attack the person. Don’t make the other individual feel inferior because his or her opinion is different than yours. Only rebuttals surrounding key points on a given topic should be expressed. There is no need for personal attacks. It will only make the other more angry and more defensive.
4. Don’t Just Hear Them…Listen to Them
Have an open mind. This requires you to make a concerted effort to understand the other’s point of view. Also, don’t plot what you’re going to say next. Rather, take time to listen to shared opposing views. The individual could be making some insightful points.
5. Find Your Middle Ground
Take time to find a middle ground. This adds respect to the conversation. Something as simple as stating that both parties just want everyone to be happy allows all involved to be seen as equals.
6. Don’t Assume
Seek to understand why the other person believes what he or she believes. Don’t just assume you know why that individual has taken that particular stance.
7. You Can Say ‘No’
Understand that civil discourse is difficult. Sometimes the other person can offend you or make you angry even while practicing these given tips. It’s okay to walk away peacefully. It doesn’t mean that anyone has “won.” It just indicates that you need some space to calm down so that the conversation, if had again, can be more calm and more constructive.
8. Remember Why You Love Each Other
Don’t ruin your valuable relationship over an opinion. At the end of the day, that’s all this is – your opinion. Be open with the other person, and, when the conversation is done, go do something together. Don’t leave on a tense-filled note that could make someone simmer in his or her thoughts. Instead, verbalize that you love each other despite your differences. That’s all that truly matters.
For more information on the importance of civility, please visit our website to learn more about our campaign.
The coronavirus made 2020 a rough year for advancement. I know we’re all tired of hearing about it at this point, but I think it’s easy to forget how much this really affected students that are still in college. You hear a lot about what graduates had to do, but I lost a really big internship last summer that would have done a lot for my future in book publishing all because of the pandemic.
It’s easy to focus on the negative, but sometimes you have to take what is available to you and use it to the best of your ability. On a whim, my roommate decided to join Fiverr.com to try and get a few extra dollars here and there. In reality, it wouldn’t hurt anything, so I signed up too. Starting a freelance business can be disappointing. After all, you start with no reviews, no credibility, and no idea what to do first. All it takes is one buyer to have faith in you to get things rolling. Will it be exactly what you want? No, my first client was for a dating book that was priced over $50 for a small paperback. Taking the skills from my classes, I managed to pull together a small list of 30 people that I thought would be interested in advertising or reviewing her book. I composed emails and send messages to every single person. Then, silence. It took days to get two responses and only one of them panned out. It was humiliating and I felt like I looked like I didn’t know what I was doing. That was my first 5-star rating and the start of a freelancing career I couldn’t even begin to wrap my head around.
Soon, I was getting several clients a week. Each client was different, making me think differently for each book genre and finding the perfect audience. We learn in class that the media can be particularly hard to work with, but I have found that to be somewhat false. Not once has someone in the media told me to leave them alone, but I have had several clients ask I’m actually trying to help them. The main thing people do not understand about PR is that it requires patience, connections and faith. Clients would ask for me to get them connected to Netflix, celebrities and large groups of people that I had no chance of reaching out to.
After a while, you reach a rhythm. Remind your clients that you are a freelancer and not a giant PR firm, so you won’t have the kind of connections they might be hoping for. I tell all my clients that I can’t guarantee any results. No one wants to hear that, but PR is subjective, especially when it comes to products like books. As self-published authors, they don’t have the name of a big publishing company behind them, they don’t have a marketing department, I’m a college student and I’m doing my best. People that failed to understand wouldn’t even consider my services anymore, but all of my clients were grateful that I at least tried. I put forth effort for something they couldn’t do for themselves and no one else was willing to.
What started as a whim has morphed into a part-time job with a steady income. Teachers always tell their students to try freelancing, but how many of us scoff or simply think it won’t work? It’s possible to do these things, to build a portfolio from your home and to do some trial and error before breaking into the industry. I get a new order from a new client and a 5-star rating almost every day. It didn’t happen overnight. With some determination, some faith and planning, the potential for freelancing is right at our fingertips. It is up to us if we decide to reach out or let it fly away.
Caroline Vaught is a publishing major with a minor in PR at Belmont University. When she isn’t doing work for her internship with Jones Literary or in class, she spends her time freelancing as a book editor and a publicist for self-published and independent authors. Since she started freelancing in the summer of 2020, she has obtained over 50 5-star reviews.
With social issues being the center of attention these days in the media, the word ‘civil discourse’ seems to be coming up in conversation more than before. We’re constantly hearing that listening and understanding are the best ways to implement civil discourse, but that sometimes feels too broad. Maybe you’re feeling that you have already been implementing civil discourse in your daily life, maybe you’re unsure if how you’ve been living is a representation of civil discourse and maybe you aren’t even sure what civil discourse really means.
Wherever you are in your journey to civility, these beginner steps to implementing civility in your daily life can be used to better understand and listen to one another. Why is it important? We’re human beings that live in a world that’s designed to communicate and be in community with other human beings. Unfortunately, or fortunately (glass-half-full perspective), not all of us, rarely any two of us will agree on every issue, topic, or situation that occurs in this lifetime. Every once in a while, you will encounter another human being who disagrees with you and happens to be your co-worker. With civil discourse as a priority in daily life, we are able to better live and work together if we can understand each other and accept that there are different opinions.
Below, is not everything, but are some ideas and tips to begin conversations and practices for civil discourse:
Create space for civil dialogue:
The first step to engaging in civil discourse is creating an accepting and welcoming space for conversation. Sometimes the best way to start implementing civil discourse is to just ensure that the conversations you have are not closing off differing opinions. Regardless of your belief, someone is going to disagree with you, and the more you can accept this truth, the easier it will be to approach the inevitable conversations.
Set Boundaries
When you start to open up this kind of conversation, it’s important that you are still aware of your personal mental, and emotional boundaries. If there’s a specific issue or topic that you don’t feel like you can discuss without feeling anxious or overly uncomfortable, then let that be known. The conversation should be respectful of all individuals involved meaning boundaries should be a priority throughout the conversation. Whether that be the amount of time spent engaged in a conversation, specific issues that cause anxiety or just the person you talk to, give yourself grace.
Focus on the issue and stay relevant
Miscommunication is real and can quickly cause a turn in the civility of a conversation. Sometimes it can be easy to have a conversation about one issue spiral into another. While this is entirely acceptable and normal, it’s essential that all individuals in the conversation are on the same page so that miscommunication on the topic can be prevented. The more each individual keeps their evidence, comments and conversation to the topic at hand, the easier it will be to have productive conversations and be a successful advocate.
Listen well to one another
While this tip goes without saying most times, I think that listening when trying to engage in civil discourse has a new meaning. Listening first off means that you’re giving each individual the space to talk and hear them out. However, it also means approaching the conversation with an open mind and really trying to listen and understand what the other person has to say. At the end of the conversation, if you don’t believe their point of view, then that’s ok, but the important thing is that you tried to understand where they were coming from. Chances are they are just as passionate about the issue as you are if they’re willing to have a conversation.
Be honest
Civil discourse doesn’t mean censoring or downplaying your beliefs because you want to avoid conflict. It’s in fact the opposite. Be honest with your ideas and share them when the situation is appropriate and the person with whom you’re sharing wants to hear them. You have the right to your own ideas, beliefs and opinions, so be honest with both yourself and others. However, let the tone in your honesty be one that is not arrogant or condescending, but respectful.
Be mindful of your mental health
If civil discourse were easy, then everyone would be implementing it and this blog post would be unnecessary. However, we are human and our emotions, passions and beliefs sometimes take over the way we approach a conversation. With that being said, your mental health and the amount of these challenging conversations you can take are important to be aware of. Sometimes these conversations can lead to increased anxiety if not approached civilly on both ends. Don’t push yourself past your limit and give yourself grace.
For more information on the importance of civility, please visit our website to learn more about our campaign.
Imagine this: You’re having a conversation with your best friend about something that is really important to you. She keeps asking you to repeat yourself. You can tell by her body language that she’s paying more attention to her phone than she is to you. You become increasingly upset and begin to be short with her. Your friend becomes defensive and you become increasingly argumentative. The conversation turns sour and you leave it with hurt feelings.
This is a situation that everyone has experienced with a best friend, family member, or significant other. Zoning out during a discussion fosters poor civil discourse. By zoning out, you are showing the other person that you are not interested in hearing their side of the conversation. Civility is a two-way street, and being a good listener is crucial to engaging in effective civil discourse. Here are 5 tips for anyone looking to become a better listener:
1. Ask More Questions
One of the easiest ways to let someone know you are interested in what they are saying is to ask questions. This may seem simple, but it shows active engagement and empathy towards the other person. In addition, asking questions can help clarify parts of the conversation that you may not understand. This clarification can lead to more effective discussions later on, as there will be less prior misunderstandings.
2. Listen as Much as You Talk
To foster healthy civil discourse, your listening-to-talking ratio should be 50/50. No conversation should be one-sided. Check-in with yourself and see if you have a tendency to be more direct and overpowering in a conversation or if you fall more on the quiet and passive end of the spectrum. By engaging in self-reflection, you will be able tp pivot your conversation style to achieve a 50/50 listening-to-talking ratio.
3. Don’t Interrupt
When a great point enters your head, it can be tempting to say it immediately. However, it is important to be respectful of the other person. Wait until they have finished sharing their point before you speak. Not only that but be certain to listen to their point and consider it fully before jumping back into the conversation.
4. Make Eye Contact
Avoiding distractions is key to engaging in a civil discussion. Civil discourse requires respect, and that means being fully present during a conversation. One of the best ways to avoid distractions is to maintain eye contact. Fight the constant urge to look at your phone, check out your surroundings, or roll your eyes. Maintaining eye contact shows that you the conversation is important to you.
5.Be Honest
Emotions play a huge role in how conversations escalate. For example, after a long day of work, the last thing you want to do is have a discussion with your roommate about cleaning the dishes. This doesn’t mean that this topic isn’t important to you, it just means that you can’t engage it in right now. It’s okay to let the other person know that you’re not in the right mindset to have a civil discussion. If you’re not emotionally ready to engage in a civil conversation, you are avoiding a potential fight that leads to feeling being hurt. You know that you cannot currently give that person the respect they deserve. Let your roommate know that having the conversation is important to you and you would be interested in discussing it at a different time in the near future.
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