I Respectfully Disagree: How to Have Difficult Conversations in a Divided World

“[This] work is a call not just for leaders to better communicate with their teams but for the everyday person to humanize those they disagree with.” —Cy Wakeman, New York Times–bestselling author of The Reality-Based Rules of the Workplace

Start building bridges instead of barriers! This essential guide offers a simple five-part framework that will help you have honest and enlightening conversations despite deep and fundamental disagreements.

Divisions are on the rise around the world. We're losing the ability to disagree without dehumanizing. There is a deep need for this practical and accessible guide to having challenging conversations in any situation, from the workplace to the classroom to the dinner table.

It's not about saying the right words at the right time but something vastly deeper. In this book, you'll discover the five pillars of respectfully disagreeing: • Challenge your perspective • Be the student • Cultivate your curiosity • Seek the gray • Agree to respect

Justin Jones-Fosu tackles this serious subject with a playful and compassionate tone. With a wide range of examples and exercises throughout, this is a timely and reader-friendly handbook to disagreeing with someone's ideology while passionately pursuing their humanity.

“This book is a must-read, particularly for organizational leaders seeking purposeful insights.” —Calvin Banks, Senior Vice President of People Development and Culture, Pyramid Global Hospitality

“Justin’s book is an amazing read and should be a staple in any organization’s leadership library. I’m excited to put what I’ve learned from reading this into action!” —Toby Atkinson, National Director of DEI and Management Programs, Cintas

© 2025 Berrett-Koehler Publishers (Ebook): 9781523006533

Release date

Ebook: 7 January 2025