Building a Strong Collective

Polarization defines our contemporary world, with divisions increasing as ideological extremes deepen. Yet the Common Ground Collective believes that diversity is our strength. Real transformation is possible when we unite across differences, turning adversaries into collaborators. This week’s Community Tips addresses the challenge of building common ground, offering practical ways to create an accepting, inclusive community. 

Why Building Common Ground Is Hard

Building common ground can feel difficult because we are socialized within different groups with their own norms, values, and beliefs. These norms, values, and beliefs affect our view of the world and understanding of society, shaping who we listen to, whose expertise we trust, who we tend to become friends with, and who we perceive as a leader. It is difficult sitting with perspectives that challenge our own. Our brains naturally seek confirmation of existing beliefs and norms. Polarization can deepen when people interpret evidence in ways that protect their identity and values.¹ 

Our assumptions and biases about societal norms shape discrimination and exclusion. Someone who has never experienced discrimination may not understand its pervasive effects, while someone who lives with it daily may find it exhausting to continually explain their reality. These inequivalences make genuine conversations difficult. 

Common ground is not a middle ground where we compromise our values; it is a shared space where we acknowledge our differences and commit to the same goal of a genuine community. Failure to build common ground can lead to environments where some people thrive, while others merely survive. 

The Power of Collective Action

Collective action means moving beyond individual good intentions toward shared commitment. Transformation doesn’t happen when we simply hope others will create change; it happens when we actively contribute to creating change. 

This approach both strengthens and challenges us. It strengthens us because diverse perspectives lead to better solutions and deeper understanding. Collective action also distributes the burden of change, protecting marginalized individuals from having to constantly educate others about the need for acceptance and belonging. 

Yet it challenges us because it demands we examine our own assumptions, biases, and privileges. It requires vulnerability to admit when we don’t know something, learn from those with different expertise, and work through our disagreements. 

Collective action offers the possibility of greater change that individual effort cannot match. Research on collective efficacy, the shared belief that a group can work together to achieve results, shows that groups are more effective when they trust their shared capacity, coordinate well, and stay committed in the face of obstacles.² A strong collective reduces polarization through perspective-taking, which means that people try to see the world from another person’s perspective. Perspective-taking builds stronger social connections and reduces stereotypes and biases.³ By regularly engaging with the diverse perspectives and lived experiences of colleagues across IUB, we begin to see that our individual success is inextricably tied to the good of the entire community. 

Strategies for Building Strong Collective

Following the CGC’s mission to foster an environment where all can thrive, here are suggestions for strengthening our collective ties: 

Embrace Productive Friction A strong collective is not one without disagreement, as total consensus can sometimes be a sign of lack of diversity or a fear of speaking up. Aim for productive debate that challenges ideas, which can lead to innovations without devaluing the human behind them.⁴ When a colleague offers a different perspective on a departmental norm, listen for the “why” before defending the “way” things have always been done. 

Move from Bonding to Bridging: Sociologist Robert Putnam distinguishes between bonding social capital, which strengthens ties among similar people, and bridging social capital, which connects people across differences.⁵ Building on this idea, research by IU faculty member Dr. Matthew Baggetta suggests that communities can grow stronger when they build relationships not only within familiar groups but also across social divides.⁶ While bonding feels safer and easier, bridging is what builds a collective. Make an effort to connect with a colleague outside your immediate rank or discipline this week. 

Examine Your Own Lens: Our assumptions guide our decisions and actions. Always ask yourself: What assumptions am I making? Whose perspective might I be overlooking? How might someone with different experiences interpret this? This helps clarify your assumptions and biases and pushes you into making more informed decisions that incorporate the perspectives of others. 

Engage with difficult conversations: When conversations feel uncomfortable, stay present, rather than move to the next topic. Growth often starts with discomfort. During disagreements, try to find common values or commitments like fairness, dignity, or student success to create a pathway for mutual understanding. 

Lead with curiosity and humility. Approach conversations to understand rather than persuade and be willing to admit what you don’t know. Openness creates space for shared learning and deeper connections. You can say “tell me more about that” or “I don’t know much about that.” This allows for collective learning. 

Build Connection: Build relationships across differences by attending Common Ground Collective’s events, where you can meet people from different schools, ranks, and populations. Relationships with diverse groups make disagreement easier to navigate with a commitment to creating a more inclusive community. 

A Common Collective: The Choice for Community

Building a strong collective is a choice we make every day. Commit today to actively listen, validate different experiences, and advocate for your colleagues. Choose to transform IUB from a collection of individuals into a powerful, resilient collective starting with your own actions. 

Change happens when commitment is collective, and that collective starts with each of us choosing to show up differently and knowing that our strength lies in our diversity. 

Facilitated Sessions with Common Ground Collective

The Common Ground Collective offers facilitated sessions on belonging and acceptance in academic settings. Contact us at coground@iu.edu to request a session for your department or unit.

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