"Fittingly, Living Room Conversations is a state-of-the-art method for individuals and organizations to bring both sides of the political spectrum together to discuss issues of interest in a comfortable environment. No facilitator is needed; the living room conversation simply needs guests and hosts to honor their six basic rules of discourse, which are remarkably similar to what the member of Congress adopted.
Living Room Conversation Ground Rules
"BE CURIOUS AND OPEN TO LEARNING
Listen to and be open to hearing all points of view. Maintain an attitude of exploration and learning. Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking.
"SHOW RESPECT AND SUSPEND JUDGMENT
Human beings tend to judge one another; do your best not to. Setting judgments aside will better enable you to learn from others and help them feel respected and appreciated.
"LOOK FOR COMMON GROUND
In this conversation, we look for what we agree on and simply appreciate that we will disagree on some beliefs and opinions.
"BE AUTHENTIC AND WELCOME THAT FROM OTHERS
Share what's important to you. Speak authentically from your personal and heartfelt experience. Be considerate to others who are doing the same.
"BE PURPOSEFUL AND TO THE POINT
Notice if what you are conveying is or is not 'on purpose" to the question at hand. Notice if you are making the same point more than once.
"OWN AND GUIDE THE CONVERSATION
Take responsibility for the quality of your participation and the quality of the conversation by noticing what's happening, and actively support getting yourself and others back 'on purpose' when needed."
