In this polarized time, we lack basic understanding of why people on the other political side hold their beliefs. We don’t see them as they see themselves – their core values and central concerns – but instead as we choose to see them. We are tempted to regard our own side as principled and the other side as self-interested.

When we try to communicate across this gap, we often lack the skills for listening carefully, looking for common ground, and sharing our perspectives in ways that connect rather than create more misunderstanding. We can learn to disagree better in polarized times, which means accurately seeing where we differ and where we share common ground.

Braver Angel Ambassadors will lead and moderate this workshop. Their goal is to spread the message of depolarization by connecting with local community groups.

Goals

• More understanding of the values and concerns of people who differ from you politically
• Better skills for listening in a way so that the other person feels heard
• Better skills for sharing viewpoints in a way the other person might hear — even if they disagree

REGISTER HERE

Live captioning and a video recording will be available. This webinar is $29 for non-members. Not a member? Consider joining AWIS and register for FREE: www.awis.org/join

Learn About Braver Angels

This workshop is a free event brought to you by Braver Angels as part of our mission to depolarize America. Braver Angels is a 501(c)(3) non-profit. We invite you to consider a gift to Braver Angels; all donations are tax deductible. Your support will allow us to offer more workshops and debates with the ultimate goal of uniting America. Click here to donate.

Meet the Moderators 

Gretchen Schieber is a conscientious professional who welcomes and meets the challenges of a goal-directed organization. She has a bachelor's of science in Biochemistry from the University of Pennsylvania, MBA from San Jose State University, and a PhD in biochemistry and cell biology from the University of Florida. With over 20 years of experience in functions from bench scientist to vice president, Schieber is a proven leader with an extensive record of success across multiple organizations, roles, scientific disciplines, and technologies.

She joined Braver Angels in 2019, desperate to learn more about what the other side was thinking and credits BA with helping her keep her sanity in these curious times.

Randy Lioz helps organizations of all types develop healthy cultures that foster a sense of belonging for all their members and employees. He has worked with organizations from a variety of sectors to address internal cultural challenges, including nonprofits, religious organizations and educational institutions, as well as business clients from the Fortune 500, such as Target and General Mills.

After a 15-year career in the automotive industry focused on forecasting and analytics for brands like Ford, Kelley Blue Book and Autotrader, he joined the nonprofit Braver Angels, one of the leading national groups focused on reducing political polarization, active in all 50 states. He's worked in a variety of roles there, including leading the effort to migrate their events to the online environment during the pandemic, pioneering hybrid events, and building a network of organizational partners. While he now runs his own consulting firm, DOC (Depolarizing Organizational Cultures), he still runs Braver Angels workshops as a volunteer. 

Randy has regularly led workshops for regional and national audiences, in addition to spreading the depolarization message through interviews, speeches, writing, and podcast appearances. He has a degree in economics from Duke University, and an MBA from the University of Michigan.