The Fishbowl Exercise

Who says people on the opposite side of our political divide can’t communicate? Here’s what Braver Angels does to help conservatives and progressives understand their differences, find common ground where it exists, and help the country we all love find a better way.

It’s called the Fishbowl Exercise, and for it to work, participants have to listen without trying to change others’ opinions, speak in “I” statements to represent beliefs, and discuss perspectives without projecting them on the other group.

• Group A sits in the center to discuss a topic while Group B watches and listens without commenting.
• The groups switch with Group B discussing the same topic from their view while Group A listens to them interact
• People from Group A then pair up with someone from Group B to have a one-on-one discussions.

Both sides get to hear the other’s perspectives without distortion and reach a mutual understanding that it’s OK to disagree while respecting the other side’s opinions.

Who says people on the opposite side of our political divide can’t communicate?