Taking the lead: How city officials can stand strong against incivility

GUEST ARTICLE BY MATT LEHRMAN

The American ideal of government is rooted in the belief that reasonable people can work together to find solutions to shared problems. Compromise is not a weakness, and there is ample time to make community-informed decisions. While not everyone will always agree on the outcome, the process must be fair and thorough. Everyone should feel heard.

This ideal is being threatened by the prevalence of anger and outrage in American media, where clicks, shares, and engagement translate into profit. This business model has created a market for incivility and negativity that pervades our society, leading to polarization and divisiveness. It's a conundrum.

To counteract this, local leaders must actively promote collaboration, compromise, and constructive dialogue. Incivility demonstrates a lack of respect and consideration for others. It also creates a self-centered attitude that can leave others feeling hurt, disrespected, and excluded, with impacts that can extend beyond individual interactions. It's essential to strive for an environment that encourages civility and respectful engagement and helps restore the American ideal of government.

If you want to stand against incivility, you need to recognize and call it out when you see it, in particular: 

• Obstinance. Stubborn adherence to one’s own opinion despite reason or persuasion.
• Demagoguery. Emotional and prejudicial appeals to sway public opinion, rather than engaging in rational argument.
• Dogmatism. The inflexible adherence to a particular set of principles, beliefs, or ideology, without considering alternative viewpoints or evidence.

If you’re looking for a quick fix, I’m sorry to disappoint, but there is no magic phrase or verbal jiu-jitsu that can instantly reverse an instance of incivility during a council meeting. The following is the civility that all local leaders need to get good at: 

• Energize obstinance. Find shared goals and values that underlie the debate. By identifying common ground, you can frame the conversation in a way that encourages compromise and collaboration. Bring in outside experts, facilitators, or neutral third parties to provide fresh perspectives and objective feedback.
• Counter demagoguery. Focus on presenting the facts and evidence that support the proposed course of action. By presenting data in a clear and compelling way, you can help to move the conversation toward rational, fact-based decision-making. Engaging in active listening and making space for the consideration of alternative solutions is vital.
• Overcome dogmatism. Frame the debate in terms of outcomes rather than ideology. By focusing on the practical implications of different policy choices, you shift the conversation away from entrenched beliefs and toward pragmatic solutions. Building alliances and coalitions across ideological lines can also be an effective way to seek out common ground and work together toward shared goals.

You have a crucial responsibility to govern your community in a fair, equitable, and just manner. This requires standing strong against incivility and disrespect, even when it’s being thrown at you. By modeling respectful behavior and promoting constructive dialogue, you set the standard for your community.

Connecting, respecting, and listening

As a civic leader, you are the guardian of a thriving community, responsible for making decisions that impact the lives of your residents. Facing incivility and negativity during council meetings and community events can be disheartening, but giving up is not an option when it comes to civic leadership.

Remember that your mission is to create a positive and inclusive environment for all. By prioritizing respect and collaboration, you set an example for others to follow and create a ripple effect that can spread throughout the community. Keep your focus on how people in your community deserve to feel about civic engagement — connected, respected, and heard. Find the motivation to push through challenging situations and work toward constructive solutions.

Local leaders hold the power to shape decisions that impact people's daily lives. Making those decisions with integrity, fairness, and a commitment to the greater good is crucial. By bringing people together, bridging divides, and creating a better future for your community, you have a responsibility worth fighting for.

Matt Lehrman is the managing director of Social Prosperity Partners. He will deliver the opening keynote “From Conflict to Conversation” at the League of California Cities Annual Conference and Expo on Sept. 20. This is part two of a two-part article, a version of which originally appeared in Minnesota Cities magazine.