From Conflict To Connection: Harnessing Curiosity, Empathy, and Dialogue with Dr. Tania Israel

Update: 2025-03-27

Description

How can leaders foster meaningful connections in an increasingly divided world?

In this episode of Humanity at Scale, host Bruce Temkin welcomes Dr. Tania Israel, Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UC Santa Barbara and award-winning author, to explore how leaders can bridge divides and foster human-centered workplaces. They discuss how curiosity transforms conflict, the impact of cognitive biases, and practical strategies for authentic dialogue. From managing workplace tribalism to overcoming unconscious bias, this conversation offers actionable insights for leaders navigating today’s divided world. Discover how assuming good intent and embracing open conversations can create more collaborative, resilient teams.

What you will learn:

How to embrace genuine curiosity in difficult conversations
Why understanding cognitive biases is crucial for bridging divides
The critical difference between feeling unsafe and being unsafe
How to regulate emotional responses when triggered by differing viewpoints
The practical framework for promoting understanding over winning arguments
How leaders can address workplace tribalism without banning political discussion
How to help teams recognize and overcome unconscious biases that drive workplace division

Dr. Tania Israel is a Professor of Counseling Psychology and Associate Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at UC Santa Barbara and an award-winning author, researcher, and expert in navigating political and social divides. With over 25 years of experience in psychology, she has dedicated her career to helping individuals and organizations bridge differences and foster meaningful connections. Israel is the author of two influential books, "Facing the Fracture" and "Beyond Your Bubble," which provide practical frameworks for handling difficult conversations and building understanding across divides. Her groundbreaking work, sparked by facilitating dialogues between pro-choice and pro-life groups in the 1990s, has evolved to address contemporary challenges in political and social polarization.

Episode Resources: