Eliminating Toxic Polarity &
"Us & Them" Narratives

The problem

Bureaucracy has it's purpose. It maintains order as personnel in any organization grows. Yet it's often one of the biggest problems with effective citizen interactions with government or large companies. It destroys trust through constant frustration and inability to address the needs of the customer, or resident. Citizens need to be treated like customers, as that is essentially what they are. In the case of government however, the customer has no where to go.

The Meyerside Chats Approach

Through his career and activism, Evan has contracted with 100's of the nations largest organizations in both the public and private sector, including universities. He understands how they think, respond to problems, and build systems around their economic needs, core values, and organizational philosophies. His strategy stimulates a "start with yes" approach, which help people think outside of the box, and is often contrary to the answer normally provided from these organizations.

The problem

Governments tends to miss the mark on understanding the needs of their customer; the residents and business. Businesses included, mom and pop shops, landlords, developers, telecommunications companies, nonprofits, etc… For example, shouldn't a parking ticket explain to you why what you did was wrong, the way to avoid it in the future, and speak to you in the tone of a caring person, and not a criminal? Perhaps even more leniency on payment for seniors, and long-time residents with little or no previous issue?

The Meyerside Chats Approach

Through his civic work, dedication to improving his community, and providing company culture seminars to goverment organizations, Evan has learned why governments often do not communicate, nor deliver in this way. He often workshops more effective strategies as part of his conversations.

The problem

There are lots of reasons why "narrative" has become a buzzword in todays media lingo. Here are a handful:

• Stories – Stories are what make content resonate with people. Stories are by nature sensationalized to create appeal, conjure an emotional reaction.
• Agendas – Everyone has an agenda: people, companies, pundits, etc… The hope is that the ones making policy are morally in line with yours.
• Corruption – behind the scenes, often dark motivations that often include illegal components.
• Lobbying - paid corporate motivations for lawmakers
• Private interest – as for media, if advertisers are the main revenue source, and the boards of directors are commingled, it's going to take a herculean effort to get transparency given the number of persuasive interests that dictate the narrative.

The Meyerside Chats approach

Coming together on difficult issues politically can be viewed analogously to marriage counselling for the public. Evan has an remarkable ability to not take sides, but rather explore the "why" of what makes people lean in different directions around issues. His goal is to produce an understanding, and empathy for why people feel the way they do, which in turn reduces the toxicity and vitriol. It's perfectly fine to disagree with the opinions of others, insofar as it does not lead to false categorizations and generalizations, assignment of malice in values, and name calling. Most people just want to live peacefully, and for others to do so as well. Political disagreements should not lead to the hate of others, or the splitting of families.

Every time you bad mouth a political leader publicly, you are offending all of the people who may approve of that leader and pouring gas on the fire. Evan's approach encourages respectful disagreement, especially on social media, even on the most challenging polarized issues.

Evan's leadership on various boards and work in conducting civic seminars has been part of the reason for this, but also through team building in his companies, and having family and friends on both sides of the aisle.