Most of us are in some position to make a difference for people who are usually not included in our “traditional” ways of doing things. As designers and leaders, we can have tremendous influence. How can we create a sense of belong - for ourselves and for others? Why should we care?

Good listening is a skill and an art that can help you understand better (both the people speaking to you as well as the ideas), lead better, and build trust. And we have learned that change happens at the speed of trust. But how do we get there?

Often, one response that comes up for us, because we are human, is being judgmental: “Why don’t they understand?” “Why are they saying that?” “They are so frustrating – how can they be so dense?” Well, it’s because they look at the world from a different viewpoint – from different experiences and backgrounds and mindsets.

Getting people to change can be hard, and the path to change is often times met with resistance. What if there was a way to drive a conversation that leads to further discussion about the situation itself, and opens up space to explore new ideas?