Brainstorming for Presentation２

I. Presentation Assignment

Title: "From Bias to Understanding: Navigating Conflict with Active Listening"

Format: Interactive workshop (25-30 mins)

Structure:

  1. Introduction (5 mins)

    • Hook: Show a 1-min clip from The Breakup (escalation over dishes) or Key & Peele’s Text Message Confusion.

    • Thesis: "Biases and assumptions fuel conflicts, but reflective listening and adaptive conflict styles can transform misunderstandings into opportunities."

  2. Activity 1: "Assumption Audit" (7 mins)

    • Use the Identity Wheel (Week 1) to:

      1. Have participants note which identities most influence their biases (e.g., age → assuming older colleagues resist change).

      2. Pair-share: "Describe a time an assumption about someone’s identity led to miscommunication."

    • Key Point: Link to atarimae (Week 1) — unspoken cultural norms exacerbate biases.

  3. Activity 2: Conflict Style Role-Play (10 mins)

    • Scenario: Adapt the internship case (Lee vs. Watanabe) from Week 2:

      • Lee (informal, relationship-focused) vs. Watanabe (formal, transparency-focused).

    • Task: Groups practice:

      • Reflective listening (Week 2: "Watanabe, I hear you’re concerned about transparency—is that right?").

      • Conflict styles (Thomas-Kilmann): Should they compromise (split differences) or collaborate (find a new solution)?

    • Debrief: Compare strategies and outcomes.

  4. Key Takeaways (3 mins)

    • Tools: Communication Sandwich (Week 2), RASA listening (Week 2), and reframing positions→interests (The Breakup analysis).

    • Call to Action: "Challenge one assumption this week using active listening."

II. Paper Assignment

Title: "Bias, Conflict, and the Path to Shared Understanding"

Format: Reflective essay (4-5 pages)

Structure:

  1. Introduction

    • Define bias/assumptions using Week 1 materials (atarimae, Identity Wheel).

    • Thesis: "Unchecked biases escalate conflicts, but self-awareness and adaptive communication can bridge gaps."

  2. Section 1: Identifying Bias in Conflict

    • Case Study: Analyze The Breakup (Week 2) through biases:

      • Brooke assumes Gary’s laziness = lack of care (ignoring his need for autonomy).

      • Gary assumes Brooke’s requests = nagging (ignoring her need for reciprocity).

    • Link to Theory: Perceptual filters (Week 1) and positional vs. interest-based conflict (Week 2).

  3. Section 2: Strategies for Overcoming Bias

    • Active Listening: Use Julian Treasure’s RASA method (Week 2) to validate emotions (e.g., *"You feel un