Civility Quote by Brené Brown
““Cassandra Dahnke and Tomas Spath, write: Civility is claiming and caring for one’s identity, needs, and beliefs without degrading someone else’s in the process….[Civility] is about disagreeing without disrespect, seeking common ground as a starting point for dialogue about differences, listening past one’s preconceptions, and teaching others to do the same. Civility is the hard work of staying present even with those with whom we have deep-rooted and fierce disagreements. It is political in the sense that it is a necessary prerequisite for civic action. But it is political, too, in the sense that it is about negotiating interpersonal power such that everyone’s voice is heard, and nobody’s is ignored.””
About This Quote
Source Article: "Civility and Civil Discourse" by Cassandra Dahnke and Tomas Spath, published in 2023
Civility means respecting others while asserting your own needs and beliefs, fostering dialogue without disrespect, and ensuring all voices are heard in political and personal contexts.
In simple terms: Respectful disagreement and inclusive dialogue.
Practice listening beyond preconceptions and encourage equal participation.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- community meetings
- political debates
- online discussions
- workplace negotiations
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you model civility in a heated argument?
- What structures help ensure every voice is heard?
Civility can be difficult when emotions run high or power imbalances exist.