In recent years, tensions surrounding U.S. politics have caused Americans to feel more polarized than ever. As a result, we feel less connected with our peers, sometimes avoiding each other altogether.

The impacts of political polarization are permeating the workplace. According to a January 2024 study by Polarization Research Lab:

• Polarization can lead to avoidance behaviors within teams. 25% of Americans say they avoid colleagues due to differing political views.
• Polarization puts belonging at risk. One-third of employees choose not to express their true beliefs at work because they know a colleague disagrees with them.
• Polarization can threaten job retention and satisfaction. 13% of employees are likely to look for another job due to political disagreement

Political polarization results in burdensome business costs. During the 2020 election, for example, over a third of employees reported that they avoided talking to or working with a coworker because of their political beliefs, and a quarter said that the election had a moderate or big impact on their ability to do their jobs.

This has an impact on employee health; social isolation can lead to loneliness and a lack of belonging, which in turn lead to negative physical and mental health consequences, including higher risk of dementia, depression, heart disease, and death.

While it may seem easier to ban or avoid difficult conversations, especially during a particularly divisive election year, equipping employees with the skills to practice respectful dialogue can, in fact, unlock a host of business benefits and competitive advantages, including:

• Improving employee retention and satisfaction.
• Creating a workplace culture that values and rewards communication and collaboration, leading to improved productivity.
• Empowering employees to transform tough conversations with colleagues, clients, customers, and partners into opportunities for deeper and more valuable relationships.

Tips for Respectful Conversations

You can help equip your employees with the skills to navigate political conversations and explore their differences in unifying ways. Consider sharing a few tactics taught by Moral Courage College, the creators of Moral Courage® — a science-backed skill set that fosters trust and empathy. 

1. Don’t merely seek common ground — create it

Polarization and isolation can make it really easy to disregard the “other side”, but the truth is, both sides of any problem can often create areas they agree on. The difficult part is intentionally taking the first step. 

2. Listen to learn, not to win

The difference between an argument and a conversation hinges on how we listen rather than what we say. Are we listening to win, or are we listening to learn? The beauty of disagreement is that it demonstrates we have more to learn, and the best way to do that is to learn to listen. ‍

3. Ask another question by starting with three simple words

“Tell me more…” is the simplest way to show openness and interest in someone else’s perspective. This creates trust and consideration, which allows both parties to feel respected.

Get more tips...

For all five tips on respectfully engaging in conversations about difficult topics, check out HAA’s tip sheet, “Belonging & Civil Discourse: Communications Tips for Employees.”

Webinar on Politics and Mental Health

To learn more about how to create a workplace that fosters healthy civil discourse, you're invited to join us at our next webinar, “When Politics Heat Up: Protecting Workers' Mental Health and Performance During Election Season.”

The live virtual event is free to attend and will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at noon ET.

Hosted by One Mind at Work in collaboration with the Health Action Alliance, the webinar will feature a conversation between:

• Steven Levine, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Meteorite and HAA
• Dr. David Ballard, Senior Scientist at One Mind at Work
• Dr. Kathy Pike, CEO of One Mind at Work (Moderator)

The panelists will share ways that business leaders can help their employees combat polarization, reduce stress, improve communication, and maintain productivity during a tumultuous and divisive election.

‍Register here to save your spot.