DEI & Leadership Blog

Building Respect Across Political Differences at Work

It is hard to turn on a television or look at social media these days without hearing about how divided we have become as a country. Experts debate about whether there has been any time in our history, even during the Civil War, that we have been so polarized. It seems that we are increasingly falling into camps: Left or Right, Liberal or Conservative. Each side throws labels at the other such as “morally bankrupt” or “Un-American”. The months leading up to the election have been filled with toxic rhetoric, and the months following don’t hold much promise of toning it down.

SUNY Professor Emeritus and former radio personality, Dr. Alan Chartock said, “Politics is the allocation of scarce resources.” In other words, there is a lot at stake in winning or losing elections. People experience real losses that may trigger reactions of grief, anger, fear, despair and anxiety. Practicing emotional intelligence can help prevent these feelings from leading to relationship-damaging behaviors.

Why Political Differences Matter in the Workplace

According to a recent survey by the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM), more than 4 out of 5 U.S. workers said they witnessed or experienced poor treatment due to political differences. This can damage workplace culture, where respect and teamwork are essential. When people feel marginalized because of their political views, it can impact the ways that co-workers collaborate and teams function. If we are to build diverse and equitable organizations where everyone is included and feels a sense of belonging, we must address the issue of how political differences are impacting us.

This begins with recognizing that political differences go far beyond which lever people pull in the voting booth. People support candidates and issues that reflect their values and beliefs, their hopes and aspirations, their fears and frustrations. When we create spaces for dialogue about these things, we create opportunities to learn from, and with, one another. This commitment to social learning can strengthen the bonds between team members.

Tips for Fostering Civility and Respect
Set boundaries and expectations:

Ensure that everyone understands guidelines for respectful communication. Be clear about what behaviors are unacceptable, such as name calling. Setting expectations around open, positive engagement can help keep conversations constructive.

Two women sit across from each other at a table, engaged in conversation. One woman wears a light blouse, the other a dark dress. They are near a large window with an urban cityscape in the background.
Two women are sitting at a table, engaged in conversation. One is gesturing while the other listens attentively with a laptop open in front of her. In the background, there is a shelf with potted plants.
Practice Active Listening:

Show empathy by truly listening to others’ experiences and perspectives. Acknowledging what someone has said doesn’t mean agreeing with them. Listening without interrupting shows respect and can lead to a deeper understanding of the diversity around us.

Focus on Team Goals and Belonging:

Remind team members that everyone is working toward common goals. Use these shared objectives to foster a sense of belonging and unity, even when individual views or backgrounds vary.

A woman stands at a whiteboard covered with colorful sticky notes, pointing to one. She is in a meeting room with four colleagues seated around a table, each with laptops and notes, engaging in a discussion.
A diverse group of people is sitting around a large conference table in a modern office setting. They are engaged in a meeting, using laptops, with large windows in the background showing an urban view.
Celebrate Diversity:

Embrace the unique qualities each person brings to the team. Counteract systems of power and privilege by lifting up voices of people from marginalized communities. Our diverse experiences and ideas make us stronger.

Embracing Differences for Stronger Future

While the idea that we have more in common than what separates us may be comforting to some, it misses the point. It is our differences that fuel creative solutions to our biggest challenges and allow us to innovate for a better tomorrow. The periods in our history when there have been the biggest conflicts have been followed by periods of tremendous growth and advancement. It is now up to each of us to emerge from this time of strife and division with a renewed commitment to harness the power of our differences, to work for a world in which everyone can thrive.