Community-building through ideological differences

MAOL Alumna Jennifer McMurray '22 shares findings from her thesis research project that explored the challenge of building communities inclusive of ideological differences.

Community-building through (political) ideological differences is challenging, is done for specific reasons, and is made easier by utilizing skills and strategies often associated with authentic leadership. By appealing to the values of liberalism and conservatism, and by being humble to their own biases, emerging authentic leaders and everyday people create an atmosphere of trust where all parties feel valued, respected, and can grow in community with others. The purpose of this study was to uncover how ordinary people can help others and themselves build and maintain a community inclusive of ideological differences.

As our society navigates the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and racial inequities that plague our workplace, educational, and community systems,

I believe that it is more important than ever that we learn to understand and accept difference for its benefits rather than the fear it seems to instill.

I pursued this research because I believe it is important to recognize differences and to dialogue about any ideological conflicts before they spiral into hatred and fear. This thesis highlights the benefits of using characteristics of authentic leadership to build community through ideological differences.

Understanding how someone defines community is helpful because often, people’s lack of awareness and communication with those they perceive outside their community “results in prejudice, bias, and an increasing rigidity of in- and out-group boundaries, which become institutionalized over time” (Reimers, 2016, p. 440). The institutionalization of prejudices strengthens with time and perpetuates through generations unless it is addressed by those opposing each other. People’s prejudices can increase in situations where they are confronted with ideological conflict with others because some people are more adept or comfortable at handling this type of conflict with others. For example, according to my survey results, only 52.64% of respondents Agreed/Strongly Agreed that they found it easy to have ideological conversations with those who thought differently than them as opposed to 26.31% who Disagreed/Strongly Disagreed with this statement.

Despite people’s level of comfort engaging in ideological conflict dialogue, the overwhelming majority (71.43%) felt that conflict was healthy. Since a majority of people think conflict is healthy, but a healthy percentage are less comfortable dealing with conflict than others, it would seem that additional effort or experience is needed to handle this inevitable conflict better so that it does not perpetuate. If people chose to engage in conflict, they did so for a variety of reasons and with a variety of resolution strategies. Some of these strategies involved using the skills of authentic leadership (self-awareness, intellectual humility, and listening) and strategies like equality/equity in the conversation, additional education, and storytelling to make the conflict constructive.

Our society is going to stay divided so long as people refuse to engage in ideological conflict dialogue. By having civilized, honest, and respectful dialogue about people’s differences, we can begin to understand each other’s perspectives and lived experiences that led to their beliefs and values on a particular subject. If we can understand this new perspective, I believe, we can begin to form a more accepting society that is welcoming of difference instead of fearing it.

• Reimers, B. C. (2016). Building a bridge across the conflict theory practice gap: Comprehensive conflict engagement in community contexts.?Conflict Resolution Quarterly, 33(4), 437–458.?

Jennifer McMurray graduated with a master’s degree in Nonprofit and Public Leadership and graduate certificates in Strategic Management and Ethics and Leadership from St. Catherine University. She has worked in higher education since 2015, but will soon transition to the nonprofit realm to pursue her passion in helping others improve their lives so that all may prosper in their communities. Jennifer McMurray lives in Apple Valley, Minnesota with her daughter and husband. To access her full research paper, contact Jennifer at [email protected].

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The St. Kate's MAOL Alumni Research Series showcases the work of MAOL graduates, sharing valuable leadership learning both within our network of students, faculty, and alumni - and with the broader community. The Spring/Summer 2022 edition is managed and edited by April Riordan, MAOL student ('22) and Graduate Trainee Assistant. To contact April, email [email protected].