A return to more civilized society

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This article was published 20/11/2021 (1762 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Most of us took time out to observe Remembrance Day in Manitoba. It was especially memorable for me this year. First because it was the 100th anniversary of the poppy as the international symbol of remembrance and secondly because this is the second year the pandemic has impacted celebrations. Thankfully, several Manitoba Legion Branches offered ceremonies for fully vaccinated attendees.

The third reason why the memorial services impacted me was not because I was recalling veteran family members but because I took special note of the many symbolic protocols that helped to bring special meaning to the whole event. For instance, there are the sentries who stand guard at the four corners of national and local memorials until the March on the Colours is concluded. There is also the reading of the Act of Remembrance, the eerie sound of the Last Post played on bugle, the two minutes of silence and, finally, the placing of wreaths, often by the mother or female relative of a fallen veteran as well as political leaders and/or other special guests.

Yet the ceremony also brought to mind that, other than at special ceremonies such as Remembrance Day, our society seems to have wandered away from applying any gracious social protocols, especially in day-to-day conversations.

When I hear how elected officials and other leaders treat each other, I wonder where this incivility will lead.

I sincerely believe that leaders from all levels, from sports organizations to elected councils, should be acting as role models of courteous behaviour and constructive debate. However, what we are seeing and experiencing throughout Canada are growing incidents of incivility. This includes swearing, disparaging remarks, inaccurate allegations, name calling, character assassinations and other inflammatory behaviour. This level of incivility is leading to a significant increase in anger and frustration within our communities.

If this behaviour continues to escalate in our communities, we might be increasingly hard pressed to find anyone willing to put their name forward for any elected or volunteer position. In fact, some researchers are calling the situation a “civility crisis” resulting from the numerous online tools that tailor member news that supports pre-existing inaccurate and inappropriate views.

The result has been that trust in elected leaders is diminishing while at the same time, their ability to carry on an effective debate and/or presentation of ideas is greatly hampered. Reasoned discussion is thrown out the window, decisions are tabled and postponed, and participants become polarized in their views. The situation right here in Manitoba with COVID-19 and public health orders is a case in point.

Municipal governments in all provinces as well as most volunteer organizations and workplaces have taken steps to curb incivility by establishing codes of conduct, providing training for all leaders and staff and reinforcing these tools through various conferences. More formal organizations such as municipal councils and governments have also appointed integrity commissioners or ombudsmen.

At the same time, most organizations have also reinforced social media policies for elected officials, employees and the public and increased online vigilance for inappropriate posts.

Yet as interpersonal conflict and incivility continues in organizations, we can expect that decisions may be made without sufficient information, that important points of consideration might be ignored and common ground may be an illusion. And the biggest concern is that community members will turn away from the opportunity to become an elected official whether or not it is at a sports organization, a local school board, a municipal council and/or higher levels of government.

It also makes me concerned about election strategy. For instance, if people like former U.S. president Trump can attract so much money and devout followers by insulting the character of his competitors, how might this manifest in Canada? Flagrant “us” versus “them” and denigration of opponents just isn’t the Canadian way.

There is, however, growing research that suggests political incivility is actually a losing strategy. For instance, a Canadian experimental social psychologist has been testing this idea for several years. He reports that even a politician’s most diehard and adoring followers do not react positively to uncivil political attacks. Participants still preferred civility. In his view, the challenge arises when people are grouped together, because they seem to adapt a sense of social licence to attack opposing viewpoints. However, overall, this researcher suggests it is still wise for leaders to mind their manners and focus their attention on solving local problems.

We also need to keep in mind that organizational and business leaders are role models for employees as well as customers and society at large. Therefore, should incivility occur at the leadership level, it increases the likelihood of this behaviour occurring within the rank and file. You can see this in the increasing number of harassment and human rights complaints that cost thousands of dollars and can become a financial burden. Leaders simply can’t let incivility take over our lives.

Just as with Remembrance Day, every business and sporting organization, and governments at all levels have their own protocols and “rules of engagement.” I urge everyone to use them effectively to put a stop to the increasing levels of incivility. Keep in mind that meeting participants don’t have to always agree or even like each other but they do need to acknowledge the commonality of goals and objectives, and work together for the betterment of their community and/or their organization.

Source: Uncivil Civic Engagement, Kathleen Higgins, Erika Lambert-Shirzad, Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP, May 18, 2017, Political Incivility Is a Losing Strategy, Jeremy Frimer, Policy Options, July 24, 2019.

Barbara J. Bowes, CPHR, B.Ed, M.Ed, CCP is an author, workshop leader, executive coach, radio personality and career expert. She can be reached at barb@legacybowes.com and/or barb@bowesleadership.com