Earlier this month, I joined the throngs of people at the Minnesota State Fair. While munching on mini donuts, I noticed a crowd gathering near the Dairy Building. Intrigued, I moved closer and caught wind of a rumor that Governor Tim Walz might make an appearance. Since he’s become a vice-presidential candidate, public interest in him has noticeably surged. So, I decided to stick around and see what was happening.
While waiting, I overheard a few folks in the crowd voicing their opinions about both Harris/Walz and Trump/Vance. Some of the discussions got heated, which wasn’t surprising.
What did catch my attention, though, was how nobody seemed to be listening—just talking over each other in a battle of words where no one's point was really heard.
This got me thinking about politics at work. Most of us believe we manage to keep our political views to ourselves, avoiding lawn signs at our desks or blatant criticisms of "the other side."
Politics often shows up in more subtle ways, like a quick eye roll when a politician's name comes up or a "joking" comment that doesn’t feel so funny when it challenges someone’s values.
That exchange can create an uncomfortable environment at work, impacting the ability to be engaged and productive.
Nobody wants to work where they don’t feel they belong.
So whether you're in a crowd at the fair or in the office breakroom, it’s wise to be mindful of when and how you share your views.
More importantly, challenge yourself to genuinely listen to others when their views are shared. You may not change your mind, but you’ll likely expand your understanding and appreciation for diverse perspectives. And that makes us all better Americans, regardless of election outcomes.