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Pro tip: I found a way to actually talk to the protesters blocking the library doors last semester.
Everyone said to just wait them out or call campus security, but I walked up and asked one student, 'What's the one thing you want people walking by to understand?' It shifted the conversation from a shouting match to an actual point. Has anyone else tried asking a direct, simple question to de-escalate a campus protest?
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kai_webb9116d ago
Could you ask what a good next step would look like?
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diana_kim6616d ago
Good next step" sounds like a job for @kai_webb91's crystal ball.
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king.eric16d ago
Kai's point about asking for a next step is really smart. It moves past just hearing their complaint and into what they actually want to happen. That question forces a shift from stating a problem to proposing a solution, which is where real talk can start. It also shows you're listening enough to engage with their goals, not just their anger. A lot of times people just want to be heard, but asking for the next thing makes the conversation useful.
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