Continuing with my quest for posts/blogs focusing on constructive communication, realistic solutions and understanding, I present the following conversational questions to replace doom scrolling, ranting, raving, cherry-picking facts and winner-take-all debates. Consider having the following questions at-the-ready when stumbling into difficult conversations replete with outrageous statements and assumptions. You will note that the end goal of questions is to drill down to the root sentiments and beliefs of the commenters and maybe they will gain insights.
So here we go….
Do you think the people you speak of as being human?
What’s the worst thing that happened to you in your life?
Who is the worst person you met in your life? Hurt you the most? Did you wrong. Lied to you. Treated you badly. Bullied you. Double crossed you.
Was this person an undocumented immigrant?
Was this a trans person? Was this person gay?
Was this person of a different race or different religion or different culture?
Exactly how has DEI harmed you?
Who is the richest person you personally know? Have they ever helped you out in a pinch?
Do you know any situation where a rich person did something directly benefitting you, your family, neighbors or friends? Identify a job that was created or a pay raise given.
Have you ever been mistreated, stereotyped, or ignored because of who you are (looks, color, ethnicity, religion, culture, language, etc.). How did that feel?
What would really make you happy?
What do you think would be a fair share of your income devoted to taxes? Do you think this percentage should apply to everyone who has income and assets?
Describe a regulation or government over-reach that has directly and adversely affected you or your business. Be specific.
For the record and while considering outside-the-box questions, I present some WHY CAN’T questions.
Why can’t correctional facilities really correct?
Why can’t reform schools really reform?
Why can’t mental hospitals really be hospitals?
Why can’t physical hospitals keep people and treat them until the root cause of what ails them is addressed rather than just patching up the symptoms?
Why can’t overdose victims be transferred to rehab facilities and only released once completely clean and the root cause of their addiction is treated?
Why can’t repeat offenders be kept in therapeutic facility where the root cause of their social disorder is identified and treated?
Why can’t homeless shelters keep people for intensive counselling and structured environment until the root cause of their homelessness is addressed?
More Costly….yes (initially) but not in the long run.
More Humane….yes
More Rewarding…yes (for the beneficiaries and the providers)
As always, your feedback is always encouraged and more of my blogs can be found on http://www.dunnwriteswell.com
Dunn Writes Well 