Developing leaders

Regarding “Voters must back those who build consensus” (Page A13, Thursday), I applaud Mr. Hamilton for urging us all to exercise our duty as citizens to mitigate the polarization and rhetoric in our country today. The American Leadership Forum has been working with Houston region leaders in this regard for the past 35 years and is a part of why we seem to be a little better at this and little less divisive than many other parts of our country. The heart of our work is building relationships among diverse leaders and encouraging them to engage in dialogue rather than debate.

When we get to know one another as people and fellow human beings, we realize that we have shared values and concerns and that the vast majority of us truly want to see what is best for all of us and our country. When we get to know someone we cannot dismiss their experience and beliefs nor can we demonize them simply for having different viewpoints.

Debate is about promoting our own ideas and challenging those of others that differ from us. Debate is about “winning” by persuading others to change their minds or come over to our way of thinking. Dialogue, on the other hand, is about creating shared understandings and exploring opportunities to co-create new ways of working cooperatively for the common good.

The difference between debate and dialogue can appear subtle. But, in fact, it is extremely profound as is the difference between consensuses, often confused with compromise, and co-creation. Daniel W. Snare, president, American Leadership Forum, Houston/Gulf Coast Chapter