Conversations That Ignite Change

Conversation can build bridges or walls. It’s up to us. Daryl Davis should know. The noted Black musician gained international acclaim by confronting, face to face, leaders of the Ku Klux Klan and other White supremacist groups who hate him simply for the color of his skin. Daryl’s was an effort to understand them, not to change minds, but those civil conversations forged unlikely and genuine friendships. Over time, many of his new friends changed their own minds and renounced their old beliefs. What can we learn from Daryl’s inspiring and jaw-dropping experiences?

Sample Takeaways:

-Apply universal tools to create positive change wherever conflict or disagreement exists

-Prepare: Understand the other person’s position and reasoning before you engage

-You needn’t respect what people say but you must respect their right to say it

-Learn to listen, understand, and keep emotions in check, even in incendiary situations

-How to recover/repair a relationship with a colleague, client, friend, or family member