Stand Together | How I build bridges as a social entrepreneur @StandTogetherCC | Uploaded October 2023 | Updated October 2024, 1 day ago.
People won’t always agree with your perspective — but you can help them understand where you’re coming from. Here’s how.
For more stories, ideas, and advice from changemakers tackling our biggest challenges, subscribe to Stand Together ► youtube.com/standtogethercc
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Christina Dent is the founder of End It For Good, a nonprofit that aims to support healthcare-focused approaches to drug addiction, as opposed to criminal justice-focused approaches, such as the infamous war on drugs. She’s learned a lot from working in such an emotionally charged area, where people can have very strong personal opinions on the right way to approach the issue at hand.
She emphasizes the importance of understanding opposing viewpoints deeply and authentically. When passionate about an issue, encountering disagreement often leads to the stance that opponents must change their minds. However, as a changemaker, it's your responsibility to build bridges and foster understanding.
Christina's organization engages through book discussions, events, and conversations with various groups, aiming to understand their values and concerns. Effective bridge-building involves focusing on the big picture rather than overwhelming details, sparking curiosity, and respecting diverse stances. The ultimate goal is to inspire respectful dialogue, even if complete agreement isn't achieved. Because worlds can be changed with a good conversation in which everyone feels heard.
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Watch more videos with insights from leading changemakers in Stand Together’s Insights from Changemakers playlist ►youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF-0tjFMo6OJeyP8ag50opr81-srZjJlK
And visit Stand Together’s website to learn more ► standtogether.org
People won’t always agree with your perspective — but you can help them understand where you’re coming from. Here’s how.
For more stories, ideas, and advice from changemakers tackling our biggest challenges, subscribe to Stand Together ► youtube.com/standtogethercc
-------------------
Christina Dent is the founder of End It For Good, a nonprofit that aims to support healthcare-focused approaches to drug addiction, as opposed to criminal justice-focused approaches, such as the infamous war on drugs. She’s learned a lot from working in such an emotionally charged area, where people can have very strong personal opinions on the right way to approach the issue at hand.
She emphasizes the importance of understanding opposing viewpoints deeply and authentically. When passionate about an issue, encountering disagreement often leads to the stance that opponents must change their minds. However, as a changemaker, it's your responsibility to build bridges and foster understanding.
Christina's organization engages through book discussions, events, and conversations with various groups, aiming to understand their values and concerns. Effective bridge-building involves focusing on the big picture rather than overwhelming details, sparking curiosity, and respecting diverse stances. The ultimate goal is to inspire respectful dialogue, even if complete agreement isn't achieved. Because worlds can be changed with a good conversation in which everyone feels heard.
-------------------
Watch more videos with insights from leading changemakers in Stand Together’s Insights from Changemakers playlist ►youtube.com/playlist?list=PLF-0tjFMo6OJeyP8ag50opr81-srZjJlK
And visit Stand Together’s website to learn more ► standtogether.org
