LAPP
Strategy for Political Conversations
Listen, Acknowledge, Pivot, offer Perspective: LAPP
LISTEN
for the other person’s values and emotions influencing their beliefs —often it’s from fear or frustration. When there are strong emotions, there’s a deeper story there.
“This part is easy. I just stop talking and listen!
ACKNOWLEDGE
what the other person is saying so that the other person knows and feels that they have been heard. This is key to building trust in conversation.
“I think your main point is….”
“Are you saying…?”
“I hear that you’re really bothered by….”
Be prepared to listen and ask follow up questions, and thank them for telling you their story. People appreciate feeling heard!
PIVOT
After listening and acknowledging, signal that you are about to shift gears in the conversation. Be personal here, with I-statements.
“This issue is important to me too, something I’ve lived with in my career, and I’d like to say where I’m coming from on it.” Or simply, “Can I give you my thoughts on this issue?”
PERSPECTIVE
Offer a depolarizing viewpoint. Stories humanize issues and make us come across as human beings who care.
“I appreciated that we discussed this in a civil way; that doesn’t happen very often these days in our society.”
If the conversation continues to escalate, look for a good time to disengage.
“Okay, it looks like we see this one very differently. Maybe we should leave it at that for now. I will think about what you’ve said.”