Ex 10-5: How I Will Lead the “Viral” Civility Revolution in My Communities

Activity: Circle 10-15 action items in at least 5 different categories

1. Practice Civility

• Choose one local government board and attend their monthly meetings to observe Civil and uncivil behavior.
• Invest in social capital – hospitality – attend or host a block party.
• Invest in social capital – hospitality – join a dinner club or participate in a pink flamingo/”pitch in” party.
• Invest in social capital – hospitality – host or participate in a “porching” activity.
• Invest in social capital – participate in a single organization.
• Invest in social capital – visit a local “third place” once a month.
• Invest in social capital – volunteer for a single organization.
• Invest time practicing your religion or philosophy to make it more effective for you and your community.
• Join a civic organization and participate actively.
• Join a Toastmasters club to improve communications skills.
• Join and participate in Braver Angels.
• Join the League of Women Voters or another nonpartisan civic advocacy group.
• Practice becoming aware of subconscious moral, political and religious choices and ability to examine them.
• Practice the 14 “everyday” Civility steps.

2. Learn More About Civility

• Apply for a leadership development program like the Hamilton County Leadership Academy.
• Apply for political leadership training with your political party.
• Complete a personal values clarification exercise and ensure that the 7 Civility values fit you well.
• Complete a personality profile class to contrast your strengths and opportunities as “paired sets”.
• Complete a personality profile class to contrast your strengths with family members and coworkers.
• Complete a personality profile or Gallup strengths/talents class to understand your strengths and opportunities.
• Discuss with your professional/personal mentor how Civility training, leadership and practice fit with your goals.
• Enroll in a Situational Leadership class to learn Civility skills and practice responsibility.
• Enroll in an “Oz Principle” management development class to improve responsibility and problem-solving skills.
• Obtain library audio versions of the 40 Civility books for use in your commute or exercise time.
• Pursue professional designation/license training courses that cover Civility topics.
• Read and discuss the 40 Civility books (skills and overviews).
• Reread previous professional development / organizational development /management courses for Civility content.
• Research media bias and subscribe to a high-quality fact-based newspaper or magazine.
• Subscribe to a “good news” source that emphasizes the amazing progress of individuals and mankind.
• Subscribe to a few Civility blogs, organizations and news sources.
• Take advantage of continuing professional education seminars that overlap with Civility skills.
• Take advantage of free online courses, videos and book summaries for problem-solving topics.
• Work through your Diversity, Equity, Inclusion courses and cross-reference the content to the Civility values and skills.

3. Master “Advanced” Civility Insights

• Master Haidt’s “rider and elephant”, Kahneman’s “thinking, fast and slow” and Allen’s “time management”.
• Master the 9 moral foundations of politics; explain why each is natural, attractive and valid.
• Master the definition of Civility and the 7 values and 7 skills.
• Master the misperceptions of Civility and be able to communicate this to others.
• Research and confirm the nonpartisan Civility values and skills to persuade others.
• Research and embrace the central role of influence, persuasion, marketing, power, negotiation and leadership in life.
• Research and master the critical concept of win/win, both/and compared with win/lose, either/or thinking.
• Research and master the ideas of tolerance and truth-telling as applied in Civility.

4. Become “Highly Motivated”

• Add skilled communicator, relationship builder and problem solver to your personal identity as you practice Civility.
• Affirm that courageously applying Civility skills will be perceived positively by almost everyone.
• Affirm your personal right to choose and not be led into “victim” positions by others.
• Define your duty to practice Civility – supported by religion or philosophy
• Define your primary duty to practice Civility.
• Determine what motivates and inspires you to practice Civility.
• Develop courage by – identifying how strong Civility skills build security in all arenas.
• Develop courage by – identifying your emotional and multiple intelligence talents.
• Develop courage by – partnering with others.
• Develop courage by – practicing centering and meditation exercises.
• Recognize that Civility, personal growth, character and religion are inherently life-long development areas worthy of your time.
• Reflect on your personal experience in undertaking long-term learning and doing projects.
• Review and deeply consider how Civility skills can help in personal, work, neighbor, church, political environments.
• Review and deeply consider the personal and professional benefits of improving Civility skills.
• Study and confirm your religion/philosophy’s support of the 7 Civility values.
• Summarize your reasons for investing in “practicing Civility”.

5. Make Commitments

• Create a personal and professional Civility growth plan.
• Encourage your church, work, club, neighborhood, representative to adopt a Civility pledge.
• Make a one-year Civility partner agreement with someone.
• Make a personal Civility pledge.

6. Pray for Progress

• Pray for all individuals to become more self-aware of their biases and blind spots and find ways to improve.
• Pray for our national leaders to re-establish a Civil discussion on how to improve our institutions.
• Pray for all national leaders to re-establish a Civil discussion of the most important policy topics.
• Pray for guidance as to how you can be more effective in practicing Civility for the benefit of your communities.
• Pray for leaders of the modern Civility movement to refine, modify and improve their ideas, communications and actions.
• Pray for leadership in all organizations to encourage the practice of Civility skills and values.
• Pray for our business leaders to invest in Civility training to benefit their organizations, employees and society.
• Pray for our religious leaders to more effectively communicate and inspire individuals to consider the biggest questions.
• Pray for our society and leaders to address the root causes of insecurity that haunt so many of us today.
• Pray for our universities and social scientists to more effectively summarize, teach and apply the Civility skills for all.
• Pray for political leaders to see that Civility is necessary for our democracy and to actively reduce polarization.
• Pray for strength to apply Civility skills and values in the most challenging situations.
• Pray for support on the most challenging dimensions of practicing Civility and living the Civility values.

7. Use My Power to Influence

• Encourage your precinct committee person to promote Civility in your political party.
• Help to create a safe place for Civility – at church
• Help to create a safe place for Civility – at home
• Help to create a safe place for Civility – at work
• Propose some of the 40 Civility books for your book club.
• Use social media tools to share and promote Civility articles and opportunities.
• Volunteer for the board of your homeowners’ association.

8. Choose to Lead

• Apply to be appointed to a local government advisory board.
• Ask for the opportunity to lead a project team or workgroup to increase opportunities to practice Civility.
• Choose one organization, team, committee or project team and lead Civility programs for it.
• Encourage your children to enroll in scouts, youth development, civics, youth exchange or student affairs programs.
• Enroll in a Civility ambassador program with an organization.
• Lead a book study on one of the 40 Civility books.
• Offer to serve as a Civility mentor to one person for one year.
• Self-identify as a Civility ambassador, champion or “Civiliteer”; include this role on your email signature.
• Volunteer as a youth leader to increase opportunities to practice Civility.
• Volunteer for a team, group or project leader position in a club, neighborhood, church, civic or not-for-profit organization.
• Volunteer to co-lead the “Practicing Civility” workshop as assigned by a Civility organization.
• Volunteer to teach any topic – church, scouts, work, club, sports, professional – to improve communications skills.