CHATHAM HOUSE RULE | Meetings are off the record. Please do not use attribution when sharing anything learned or discussed.

BE CURIOUS AND OPEN TO LEARNING | Listen to and be open to hearing all points of view. Maintain an attitude of exploration and learning. Conversation is as much about listening as it is about talking. This goes for EVERYONE. Especially triggers and demons.   

SHOW RESPECT AND SUSPEND JUDGMENT | Human beings tend to judge one another; do your best not to. Setting judgments aside will better enable you to learn from others and help them feel respected and appreciated. No name calling. No “greenwashing” claims without very specific documented examples.

LOOK FOR COMMON GROUND | In this conversation, we look for what we agree on and simply appreciate that we will disagree on some beliefs and opinions. Actually take time to look. It’s usually obvious.  

BE AUTHENTIC AND WELCOME THAT FROM OTHERS | Share what’s important to you. Speak authentically from your personal and heartfelt experience. Be considerate of others doing the same. 

BE PURPOSEFUL AND TO THE POINT | Notice if what you are conveying is or is not “on purpose” to the question at hand. Notice if you are making the same point more than once. 

OWN AND GUIDE THE CONVERSATION | Take responsibility for the quality of your participation and the quality of the conversation by noticing what’s happening, and actively support getting yourself and others back “on purpose” when needed. 

Adapted from Joan Blades’ “Living Room Conversations” Agreements