Special Encore: Fierce Civility from Polarization to Lasting Peace with Joe Weston

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How do we best cope with our current volatile, disruptive and extremely polarised world situation?

How can you adapt your approach when you meet others with a very different view to you?

In this Special Encore episode, we revisit Chris’ conversation with Joe Weston, who brings over 30 years of experience in conflict prevention, leadership, stress management, and communication.

They explored the principles outlined in Joe’s Amazon bestselling book, “Fierce Civility: Transforming our Global Culture from Polarization to Lasting Peace.” Including what fierce civility is and how can it help us to bridge divides and foster personal and professional peace and collaboration.

As the founder and owner of Weston Network and the non-profit Fierce Civility Project, Joe has worked with a diverse array of clients, including NASA, the World Bank, Oxfam, Booz Allen Hamilton, PBS, The National Cancer Institute, The United Nations, and Mitsubishi Motors. His groundbreaking work and methodologies have made a significant impact on corporations, government agencies, and non-profits around the world.

The bad news is that all of the systems as we currently know them are crumbling. The good news is that all of the systems as we currently know them are crumbling – Joe Weston

Joe’s expertise is further highlighted by his experience as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Department of Government, Program of Conflict Resolution, and his dedication to working with veterans and inmates in the areas of integration, healing, and leadership.

In this enlightening discussion, Joe shared his expertise on conflict prevention, leadership, stress management, and communication. He provided invaluable insights on transforming adversarial interactions into opportunities for growth and connection.

Take a look at some of the key highlights from the conversation:

The Power of Respectful Confrontation: Learn how to develop skills and strategies for having difficult conversations. Joe emphasised the importance of the “power of the pivot” in tense situations, allowing us to disarm negative behaviour without disempowering others.

Nourishment and Empowerment: Discover the significance of self-care, reaching out to others, and creating safe spaces within organisations. Joe highlighted how nourishing oneself and cultivating trust can shift organisational culture positively.

Fierce Civility in Practice: Joe introduced the concept of “fierce civility,” turning resistance into productive solutions. He stressed non-verbal heart communication and the balance between being nice and effectively empowering others.

Listen to the full episode to explore how these concepts can transform your leadership and organisational culture.

You can listen to the Business Elevation interview with Joe Weston and Chris Cooper here. Alternatively on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Tunein, Amazon Music, iHeart Radio (latter US only).

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More about Joe Weston:

Joe Weston’s career spans 30+ years in the fields of conflict prevention, leadership, stress management, and communication; he is a highly sought after facilitator and coach for individuals, corporations, government agencies, and non-profits around the world.

As founder and owner of Weston Network and the non-profit, the Fierce Civility Project, his clients include NASA, World Bank, Oxfam, Booz Allen Hamilton, PBS, The National Cancer Institute, The United Nations, and Mitsubishi Motors.

His first book, Mastering Respectful Confrontation (2011), has been sold worldwide, and his second book, Fierce Civility: Transforming our Global Culture from Polarization to Lasting Peace, was released in early March of 2023 and is an Amazon bestseller in 14 categories. Joe served as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University’s Department of Government, Program of Conflict Resolution. He has also worked with various Veterans’ organisations in processes of integration and healing, as well as teaching mediation and leadership to inmates

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