Why We Are Divided and How We Stop Infighting

• Why are Diversity and Inclusion efforts failing?
• Is there any hope that we can unite as one people?

National unity seems like a fantasy these days. Diversity, Equity and Inclusion or DEI efforts haven’t brought people closer. Many DEI efforts that were designed to meet quotas or avoid lawsuits are proven counterproductive. Leaders are longing for solutions to bridge divides and heal scars rooted in so many group identities.

Throughout history, humans have demonstrated a very strong tendency to seek categories pitting Us against Them. Group affiliation was crucial for our survival during early evolution. But today, we have inherited the desire to divide people into opposing groups: Democrats vs Republicans, White Americans vs Black Americans, the rich vs the poor, men vs women, and Millennials vs everyone else.

Keynote: Shift from Us-vs-Them to Belonging with Science

Are human brains programmed to create categories based on ethnicity, gender, politics, social status, age, occupation, or other traits? Tremendous harm has resulted from such artificial divisions. Wars have been fought. Genocides have been carried out. Human suffering and conflicts continue.

From this powerful keynote, you will learn the strong but invisible effects of Us-vs-Them on our decision-making, judgments and relationships. Most importantly, you will discover how to use advanced leadership skills to overcome these divisions. As a result, you can cultivate a harmonious and productive atmosphere for your followers and partners.

Learning Objectives ~ Get answers to these crucial questions:

• What compels our brains to seek group affiliation?
• How are Us-vs-Them divisions created?
• How does the brain respond to Us and to Them?
• How do we reduce this unconscious bias?
• Why does Diversity, Equity and Inclusion often fail?
• What can leaders do to bring people together?

The answers to these questions are critical to the times we live in. Neuroscience can give us valuable insights into the creation of the Us-vs-Them conflict. We can see that these unconscious biases are not set in stone, and can be unlearned and abandoned.

As part of the League of Women Voters and the National Institute for Civil Discourse Network’s sessions designed to help concerned citizens engage our differences productively, Dr. Terry Wu presented “The Science of Us vs Them.” He translates complex Neuroscience findings into interesting and easily digestible understandings for everyday Americans. In a time when our divisions are so elevated in the national story, this session helps us understand better how we can go from “Us and Them” into “Me and You.” Participants in this network care about our democracy and want to be part of building trust and bridging divides in our country. They shared their enthusiasm for Dr. Wu’s presentation, with 87% indicating it exceeded their expectations. I highly recommend Dr. Wu’s talk and consider it an important element in building our human abilities to understand and better engage differences productively. ~ Cheryl Graeve, Director of National Programs, National Institute for Civil Discourse

Keynote Speaker on DEI and Leadership

When Diversity, Equity and Inclusion efforts are not guided by science, more divisions may be created. Dr. Wu educates his audiences with the latest scientific insights into how the brain creates and confirms our group affiliations. He will also share proven, practical techniques that can bring people together. Diversity and Inclusion will flourish when belonging is cultivated. Dr. Wu is an international DEI leadership speaker. He makes Neuroscience easy to understand and apply. He is available for your corporate training events, either virtually or in-person.