This year, the 2023 Ohio State Bar Foundation Fellows are on a mission to explore and promote civility in today's divided world.
In this 6-part series, OSBF Fellows dive into the challenges of maintaining civility, especially in difficult conversations. Fellows explore the neurological triggers that can lead to reactive behaviors and provide practical tips on how to stay civil even when emotions run high. Whether it’s noticing how words and actions impact others or learning how to manage conflicts with empathy, this series offers insights into how we can all contribute to a more understanding and connected world.
Civility is more than just politeness; it’s about respecting differing perspectives, ensuring inclusion, and fostering environments where everyone feels valued. Research shows that civility can trigger positive emotions, like Oxytocin, which not only improves our mood but also helps us empathize with others and build stronger communities. The Civility Series invites us to reflect on our behaviors and consider how civility plays a role in daily interactions.
In the first video of the six-part video series, 2023 OSBF Fellow Carasusana Wall introduces the concept of civility, asking us to reflect on our interactions and how we handle disagreements. The video encourages daily reflection on whether we approach our interactions with kindness and respect, aiming to inspire personal growth and strengthen our collective well-being.
In the second video of the six-part video series, 2023 OSBF Fellow Amy Luck explores the challenges we face when confronted with differing opinions during conversations. Our natural human response when faced with conflict is to react defensively due to our brain's chemistry but Amy highlights how, by taking a step back and resisting the urge to lash out, we can foster more understanding, paving the way for a better, more productive conversations.
In the third video of the six-part series, OSBF Fellow Joseph Cole explores how we can better reflect on our actions, notice how our emotions and body react, and ask if our behavior aligns with who we want to be. Learn more about how we can shift our perspectives and respond more thoughtfully in our conversations and in moments of conflict.
In the fourth video of the six-part series, OSBF Fellow Carasusana Wall discusses how our intentions can sometimes be misunderstood due to our words, body language, or tone. She encourages us to think about how we communicate and whether our actions match our intent. By being more mindful, we can reduce misunderstandings and foster clearer, more respectful interactions.
In the fifth video of the six-part series, 2023 OSBF Fellow Amy Luck shares some quick and easy tips for handling conflicting opinions with respect and curiosity. Amy emphasizes staying open-minded, asking questions, and turning disagreements into opportunities for thoughtful conversations.
In the final and sixth video of the six-part series, 2023 OSBF Fellow Joseph Cole shares strategies for responding to non-civil behavior in a calm and constructive way. Joseph encourages us to use empathy to de-escalate tense situations, clarify intentions, and try not to take things things personally.
In addition to hosting and producing the Trauma Informed Lawyering Symposium earlier this year, the 2023 Fellows worked on a project to promote productive dialogue and foster civility. The series was written and produced with consultation from Nadine Zeinoun leadership and emotional intelligence coach, certified in conversational intelligence and recognized as an inspirational speaker.