You’ve probably heard — or even said — the phrase “never talk politics.” To me, that’s one of the worst ideas ever. In truth, politics shouldn’t be avoided — it should be embraced. We should be thinking about it and talking about it all the time.

What “Politics” Really Means

Official definitions of “politics” — “the art or science of government,” or “how groups make decisions” — are too narrow. To me, politics is much simpler and more meaningful: politics is how we treat one another.

Yes, that simple.

When you think of “people,” you likely picture individuals — but it can also include our institutions, organizations, or communities. And “treat” doesn’t need to imply grand gestures; sometimes, it means nothing more than respect, empathy, fairness.

Why We Need Honest Political Conversation

Too often, our so-called “politics” focuses on division instead of connection. When people disagree, they don’t listen — they shout, argue, or bombard each other. That behavior isn’t just political: it reflects how we treat others. When we elect leaders based on anger or fear, we’re really just mirroring a deeper social problem.

If our political system is broken, the fault lies not only with politicians — it lies with us.

Re-learning How to Talk Politics

Many people avoid political discussion because they don’t know how to do it well. After all, no one teaches us how to have real conversations across differences. In school, we learn math and reading — not how to engage with people who hold opposing views.

And yet, we start learning “politics” from childhood, unconsciously. We learn to share, to cooperate, to treat others as we’d like to be treated. We learn “teamwork,” playing fair, sportsmanship. We learn basic fairness long before we ever hear the word “politics.”

So politics doesn’t need to be complicated. With a bit of practice, we can make it part of everyday life.

Believe it or not, a lot of the most controversial issues share common ground. People may argue from different angles, but underneath it all they’re usually worried about the same things — security, respect, stability, and the future.

Here’s a simple four-step approach to having real political conversations:

1. Speak the same language. Start from shared values or common ground, not from differences.
2. Listen. Don’t respond — just listen. Let the other person explain.
3. Ask open questions. Ask more about what they believe, why they believe it. Try to understand more, not win an argument.
4. Repeat. Keep listening, keep asking, keep seeking connection.

If you follow these steps, you won’t “win” in the sense of overpowering someone with rhetoric — but you’ll win in building understanding and bridging chasms.

Why It Matters

Speech is powerful. Used well, it can unite communities. Used poorly, it divides them. When we shy away from politics — or treat it like conflict to be avoided — we lose the opportunity to shape society the way we want it to be.

Politics isn’t about shouting. It’s about understanding, connection, truth.

So don’t avoid politics. Talk about it. Learn how. Show up. Because the way we treat each other matters more than we often realize.