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3/4/24, 2:48 PM Taking the Lead – How City Officials Can Promote Civility - League of Minnesota Cities <br />https://www.lmc.org/news-publications/magazine/may-june-2023/civility/3/4 <br />If you want to stand against incivility, you need to recognize and call it out when you see it, in <br />particular: <br />Obstinance — stubborn adherence to oneʼs own opinion despite reason or persuasion. <br />Demagoguery — emotional and prejudicial appeals to sway public opinion, rather than <br />engaging in rational argument. <br />Dogmatism — the inflexible adherence to a particular set of principles, beliefs, or ideology, <br />without considering alternative viewpoints or evidence. <br />Changing these behaviors is not something that can be achieved overnight. If youʼre looking for <br />a quick fix, Iʼm sorry to disappoint, but there is no magic phrase or verbal jiu-jitsu tactic that <br />can instantly reverse an instance of incivility during a council meeting. <br />The following is the civility that all local leaders need to get good at: <br />Transform obstinance. Find shared goals and values that underlie the debate. By identifying <br />common ground, you can frame the conversation in a way that encourages compromise and <br />collaboration. Bring in outside experts, facilitators, or neutral third parties to provide fresh <br />perspectives and objective feedback. <br />Counter demagoguery. Focus on presenting the facts and evidence that support the proposed <br />course of action. By presenting data and statistics in a clear and compelling way, you can <br />help to move the conversation away from emotional appeals and toward rational and fact- <br />based decision-making. Engaging in active listening and making space for the consideration <br />of alternative solutions is vital. <br />Overcome dogmatism. Frame the debate in terms of outcomes rather than ideology. By <br />focusing on the practical implications of different policy choices, you shi the conversation <br />away from entrenched beliefs and toward pragmatic solutions. Building alliances and <br />coalitions across ideological lines can also be an effective way to seek out common ground <br />and work together toward shared goals. <br />You have a crucial responsibility to govern your community in a fair, equitable, and just <br />manner. This requires standing strong against incivility and disrespect, even when itʼs being <br />thrown at you. By modeling respectful behavior and promoting constructive dialogue, you set <br />the standard for your community. <br />Connect, respect, and listen <br />As a civic leader, you are the guardian of a thriving community, responsible for making <br />decisions that impact the lives of your residents. Facing incivility and negativity during council <br />meetings and community events can be disheartening, but giving up is not an option when it <br />comes to civic leadership. <br />Remember that your mission is to create a positive and inclusive environment for all. By <br />prioritizing respect and collaboration, you set an example for others to follow, creating a ripple <br />effect that can spread throughout the community. Keep your focus on how people in your <br />community deserve to feel about civic engagement — connected, respected, and heard — and <br />find the motivation to push through challenging situations and work toward constructive <br />solutions. <br />Local leaders hold the power to shape decisions that impact peopleʼs daily lives. Making those <br />decisions with integrity, fairness, and a commitment to the greater good is crucial. By bringing <br />8