Navigating conversations in a highly polarized society

We live in a polarized society, addicted to conflict. Now more than ever, people tend to reaffirm their own beliefs, even when faced with evidence to the contrary. In a world where incendiary statements have overtaken the conversation, polarization prevents people from reaching consensus and common ground, driving “cancel culture” and fake news.

Companies, brands, and political institutions are vulnerable to the public’s polarized and potentially distorted perspectives, which jeopardizes their reputations to the point of losing their social license to operate. The society they strive to connect with is deeply divided – and, therefore, so is their vision of right and wrong. The public as a whole now oscillates between total loyalty and outspoken hostility, with little in-between.