Jim Knight's #ItStartsWithUs Challenge

Any of us the least bit tuned into social media, regardless of our political persuasions, can agree on one sad truth: our country (and, more broadly, our world) has become fractured. We are rapidly losing our ability to engage in civil discourse with one another, stemming largely from our own fears.

If we’re to move forward together, not divided, our conversations must originate instead from a place of compassion. This is why I’m officially inviting you to participate in my month-long #ItStartsWithUs Challenge, starting today—Inauguration Day.

How the Challenge Works

1. Utilizing the tools below, reflect on your day-to-day interactions. Consider which next step you’re willing to commit to in an effort to become more empathic, discover common ground, or be a better listener.
2. With your cell phone, record yourself on video as you discuss that next step. Take however much time seems appropriate. The video can be as short as ten seconds or as long as two minutes.
3. Then share your video via Twitter, tagging #ItStartsWithUs, a colleague to participate in the challenge next, and your institution’s handle so we can track responses. 

Check out this example

Whichever educational institution attracts the largest number of participants will win a Corwin professional book library valued at $500.  Guidelines for participation can be found here.

The objective: To improve the quality of our conversations by coaching ourselves and each other to be more credible, caring, and connected communicators.