We’re living in a world that feels, in many ways, more divided than ever—politically, socially, and even in our personal lives. And while it’s easy to point fingers at leaders or systems, I believe the root of many of these divides comes down to something much more personal: how we communicate.

The Power of Communication at Every Level
Our global communication culture isn’t just shaped from the top down. It’s crafted in our everyday conversations—in how we engage with our partners, kids, friends, and colleagues.
If enough of us committed to practicing the kind of communication that fosters trust, nuance, and genuine dialogue, the influence could move the other way—from the grassroots to the canopy. We can’t expect the world to change if we don’t start by bridging the divides in our own lives.

The LIPS of Communication: A Practical Approach
Through years of navigating relationships, coaching, and teaching, I’ve found that communication can be distilled into four key practices:
- Listening: More than just hearing words—it’s about being present enough to catch the feelings and needs beneath them.
- Inquiry: Asking questions from genuine curiosity, not to judge or fix but to understand.
- Presence: Showing up fully, with your heart and body, making the interaction a shared experience rather than a one-way street.
- Sharing: Expressing yourself openly while honoring the other person’s reality.
These four elements make up what I call the LIPS of Communication—a compass to help navigate interactions with more clarity, compassion, and intention.

Why It Matters Now
In today’s divided world, practicing communication with depth and integrity is not just a personal skill—it’s a social necessity. We need to remember that how we speak, how we listen, and how we show up in conversations matters.
Although these divides may seem intractable, as a white man who lives in Thailand and is constantly engaged in cross-cultural settings, I know there is more that unites us than divides us.
For instance, recently while leading a Social and Emotional Learning workshop with a room full of Thai people, I was struck by the universals that transcend our differences. We had Buddhists, Muslims, agnostics, and atheists in the room—but what connected us was that we are all humans in a field of communication—and communication has principles that transcend ideologies and culture. 

Bringing It Back to Real Life
If we don’t start building these skills now—if we don’t invest in the art of presence, curiosity, and authentic sharing—we risk losing our ability to relate to each other at all. Let’s not let that happen.
May we all strive to grow in our ability to listen, inquire, offer presence, and share—so we can bridge divides and build the kinds of relationships that make life worth living.