SHRM All Things Work Your Words and Stories Matter: Tips for Civil Conversations
Oct 21, 2025
Roy Abdo, CEO of Digital Revamp and a storytelling expert, sheds light on fostering civility and empathy in the workplace. He explains how personal narratives can lower defenses and enhance understanding during conflicts. Abdo emphasizes the power of intentional language for inclusivity and clarifies the distinction between perspective and perception. He offers practical tips for de-escalating heated debates, including embracing curiosity and breathing techniques, while highlighting the need to adapt communication styles across generations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Stories Change How People Hear You
- Storytelling lowers defenses, surfaces values, and creates shared memories that aid connection.
- Roy Abdo argues stories make people listen and reveal why positions matter beyond data.
Use Thoughtful, Inclusive Language
- Choose inclusive words deliberately to avoid alienating colleagues in everyday talk.
- Replace gendered or violent metaphors ("guys", "bullets", "target") with neutral terms like "folks", "list items", "goal".
Perception Versus Perspective
- Perception is shaped by past experiences while perspective is the speaker's intent or reasoning.
- Roy Abdo says pausing and asking questions helps separate your perception from their perspective.