Talking Across Difference

Be honest. Be aware that cross-difference conversations pass through filters that interpret, analyze and sometimes bend the message. When you're clear and honest about what you mean, you build trust.

Seek clarification before confusion and conflict. Be willing to extend the benefit of the doubt. Ask questions before reacting. "What do you mean?" "Can you explain that a little more?"

Challenge with passion, not poison. Keep the conversation going through rough spots by letting the other person know that your passion is born of a desire to get past misunderstanding.

Be willing to challenge your point of view. Practice the skill of truly considering the other's way of seeing things. You don't always have to change your mind. Just make sure it is possible.

Stay in the room. The toughest thing to do when something is uncomfortable or painful is to keep doing it. The challenge here is to have faith that there is gain on the other side of the pain.

--Keith Woods

Keith Woods is an Ethics faculty member at The Poynter Institute. Woods is also the project director for "Media Diversity Beyond 2000," a joint effort between Poynter and The Ford Foundation that seeks to discover and highlight what makes diversity efforts succeed.