A Different New Year’s Resolution

By Ed Maier, Former Andersen Partner

Polarization is an issue that is written about or discussed frequently today. It is the topic of many newspaper articles, podcasts, talk shows and other forms of commentary. Usually, the discussion relates to polarization in politics. But it is also referenced as an issue in education, leadership, economics, race and other areas of society. Most often, the conversation is about the degree of polarization and the fact that it is growing. Occasionally, there are comments on how individuals can control or modify their own conversations to minimize the effect of differences of opinion. But there are few practical suggestions for people to follow to reduce it in conversations or dialogues with friends, family and co-workers.

As a kickoff to this 2025 New Year, I want to recommend some specific organizations that work to build dialog and reduce polarity in different parts of society. Two of these groups I have experienced personally. Two others I have just begun to learn about. In each case, I provide you with some background and a link that you can use to explore and learn more about them. I encourage you to resolve to do so.

Braver Angels is a national organization that I have participated in for several years. In their mission statement, which you can find at www.braverangels.org, they state simply that: “Bringing Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic…” is the driving force behind the organization. Braver Angels offers many opportunities through their workshops, seminars and meetings for us to learn how to participate in meaningful conversations. These experiences are designed to help us understand the points of view of those with whom we may differ. I emphasize “to understand” because they do not attempt to “change your mind” or criticize individual points of view. I have participated in several of their meetings. They are informative and non-threatening. I have met people whose beliefs might be wildly different than my own. I have not necessarily changed mine, but I have tempered them with a better understanding of the viewpoint of others.

Braver Angels helps improve communication and reduce polarization. It strives to “reduce the partisan divide.” The above website describes them in greater detail. Samples of the workshop titles are: Depolarizing Within; Disagreeing Better; Common Ground; Families and Politics; and Public Policy and Race. You can also use the website to connect with someone in or around your community. Or you can reach out to me and I will help you connect.

Project Unity is a Dallas-based organization which provides services around the country and, in some cases, beyond our borders. Their website describes their focus as follows: “Project Unity is a collaborative movement based on the faith-driven belief that what unites us is greater than what divides us. Our core focus is building and sustaining community. Our mission is fulfilled through dialogue, community building events and activities, education and empowerment. I have had experience working with this group also. Their programs provide unique experiences to anyone who participates in them. Each time I come away from one of their events, I find my perspective has been broadened or altered to some degree.

Programs that Project Unity structures for individual groups and organizations are created under their “Together We…” formula. “Together We Dine” brings people together around food; “Together We Ball” brings people together around the sport of basketball; and “Together We Sing” brings people together around music.

You can learn more about Project Unity at www.projectunity.net. Or you can direct a specific inquiry about their work in a general email to info@projectunity.net.

I believe either of these organizations can help deal with polarization in your community, your family or your workplace. As I sought out places that deal with this issue, I learned of others that have similar missions and can provide similar experiences. I include two of them here for your consideration.

No Labels is an American political organization whose stated mission is to support centrism and bipartisanship through what it calls the "commonsense majority". Information about this national organization can be found at www.nolabels.org. I understand that since their founding over ten years ago, they have been active in various communities to provide voting alternatives in elections. They have also “…regularly released original books and reform proposals aimed at offering informed research to constructively shape policy debates and outline solutions for some of the country's biggest challenges.”

American Promise (www.AmericanPromise.net) states on its website that it “…is a cross-partisan organization committed to winning the For Our Freedom Amendment.” It goes on to say this amendment to the U.S. Constitution would “…allow the states and Congress to set reasonable limits on campaign spending, create lasting reform, topple the coercive impact of unregulated money in the political system, restore checks and balances, end pay-to-play politics, and most importantly, give the power and voice back to We The People”.

I have not participated in the direct activities of these two organizations, but I have attended a few of their meetings. Their focus is clear and they are committed to their mission statements. I encourage you to investigate their purpose and, if they interest you, consider participating with them.

I encourage you to seek out any one of these groups to learn more about them. See if their programs appeal to you. Or take some time to search and explore others with a similar mission. I hope each of us devote some time in 2025 to take our own steps to reduce polarization in our society.

And if you are not inclined to join a “group”, you can work individually toward the same goal. Each of you knows someone with different points of view than you on a variety of issues – economic, political, religious, societal, etc. I challenge you to invite one such person, or even a small group of them, to join you for coffee, lunch, dinner. Tell them what your purpose is. Tell them you want to have an open, frank and friendly conversation about an issue that you may both see differently. I know that as you worked with our firm, you learned skills to inquire, to listen and to learn with clients, with office mates and with your leadership teams. You learned how to respectfully disagree. You developed skills at balancing and compromising points of view to move forward.

We seem to have lost the art of having reasonable dialogue with those who believe or perceive things to be different than our own beliefs. If we believe it is important to restore that art, we should take some action—professionally or personally—at whatever level we can.

Polarization has spread significantly in our communities and our country. It started in small pockets and grew larger over the years. To reduce it we must do the same. Start small; grow larger. Take some personal steps in 2025 to do so.

Thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts. If you have any comments, I would like to hear from you at edmaier46@gmail.com. I would especially like to know if you are aware of any groups or organizations that have similar missions to those I mentioned in this piece.

If you enjoy my writing and would like additional samples, go to www.amazon.com and pick up my book – Think Straight. Talk Straight.