Why We Love It:

According to Collis, the ten communication habits we should embrace are:

• Intellectual humility and reframing
• Seek real learning
• Assume the best of people
• Don’t feed people’s worst fears
• Hunt for the best argument against you
• Be open to change
• Spend time with people
• A sliver of humor
• Seek inner peace
• Embrace the discomfort of non-closure

Collis urges us to pause and reconsider how we engage with family, friends, and even strangers. He emphasizes the importance of listening, learning, and understanding differing perspectives, arguing that we don’t always have to be right to foster a productive discussion. The book highlights how, especially in today’s polarized climate, adopting these habits can lead to less frustration and more meaningful connections.

Through engaging anecdotes and insightful reflections, Collis reminds us that effective peacemaking is not just an act but a series of habits we can cultivate. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to improve their conversations and contribute positively to their communities. Highly recommended for those eager to embrace dialogue over discord.

Favorite Quotes:

 “Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can. Point out to them how the nominal winner is often a real loser — in fees, expenses, and waste of time. As a peacemaker the lawyer has a superior opportunity of being a good man.” – Abraham Lincoln

Book Jacket Summary:

Learn the practical skills that can help you build bridges, heal relationships, and engage in productive conversation about even the hardest topics.

“An accessible and enjoyable guide to learning how to have open conversations and maintain civility with people readers agree and disagree with. Highly recommended.” -Library Journal

Most people have experienced the slippery slope of dialogue that descends into -polarized argument. We yell at each other. We gaslight. We twist one -another’s words and meanings. We embrace facts that support our conclusions and ignore those that don’t. Or we sit in silence, afraid to discuss anything of substance. If how you treat others matters to you, this book offers powerful new habits that can give you the confidence to engage in dialogue about hard topics while building and strengthening relationships.

Imagine turning what could be a contentious conversation with a family member, a friend, or a coworker into a fruitful exchange that enlightens everyone’s minds and inches both of you toward a solution. Steven T. Collis, one of the world’s leading experts on civil -discourse, reveals ten practical habits that can help you navigate the potential minefields of hard topics and leave you and those you converse with feeling thoughtful and productive.

Whether you’re motivated by a desire for more fruitful discussions about politics or simply bringing more peace to your home, Habits of a Peacemaker offers you the tools to engage in constructive and healthy dialogue.