Habituating curiosity, compassion, and courage to foster independent thinking and constructive communication across our differences.
We are investing in three pillars to advance this work:
Media
Bringing our values to life through digital exercises, games, mini documentaries, and more.
Technology
Leveraging technology to help people form and maintain positive relational habits.
Community
Sparking change at the grassroots level by giving people the inspiration and tools to live these values.
The 3Cs Framework
Developed in collaboration with Greater Good Science Center and Starts With Us Expert-in-Residence Peter T. Coleman, Ph.D.
We all need the skills and tools to overcome the defining crisis of our time: the culture wars polarizing our communities, turning us against each other, and tearing the fabric of our society apart. We are all innately curious, compassionate, and courageous, but we must cultivate these values — the 3Cs — as daily habits to foster the independent thinking, free expression, and constructive communication that will enable our society to reach its full potential.
1. Curiosity
Questioning one’s own assumptions and seeking new and different perspectives
2. Compassion
Deeply empathizing with people, especially when they are struggling, and taking action to connect with and support them
3. Courage
Collaborating with people across our lines of difference — even when it’s uncomfortable
Values Before Issues
We are not trying to change your mind, shift your stance on an issue, or make you more liberal or conservative. Practicing the 3Cs does not mean blunting your strongly held convictions or beliefs.
The Starts With Us movement is rooted in the idea that not only can we co-exist with different beliefs, but that diversity of thought is a strength and that we can cooperate across our differences to solve our most pressing personal and social challenges through constructive dialogue and the practice of curiosity, compassion, and courage.
Our intention is simply to provide the tools to have constructive dialogue across lines of difference on the topics and issues that shape who we are, regardless of political preferences or background.
Taking Action to Overcome Our Divisive Culture
By practicing the 3Cs every day, we actively create the outcomes in our personal communities that stem the trends of polarization, blind tribal loyalty, and dehumanization.
Connect
To find a sense of belonging amidst the silent majority and to foster connections with your existing community (in-group).
Bridge
Connect with others outside of your normal social settings across lines of difference with the intention of expanding your community.
Repair
Overcome past grievances and obstacles to heal a broken, harmed relationship.
Theory of Change: Individual Habits Catalyze Societal Culture Shift
The Starts With Us Approach
VALUES
3Cs
DAILY ACTIONS AT SCALE
(Connect/Bridge/Repair)
RESETTING NORMS
Starts With Us’ vision is to leverage modern media and technology combined with leader and influencer activation to empower people with the inspiration and tools to develop new, positive daily habits — turning the 3Cs into action at scale.
Change Starts With Us: Fostering Daily Habits
It’s important to recognize that many specific skills and behaviors ladder into the values of curiosity, compassion, and courage and that practicing one skill can strengthen the muscle of one, two, or all three values at once. The skills listed to the right are the active ones we share with our community but are by no means a comprehensive list.
Also note that these skills might be framed differently depending on the context or community involved.
• Critical Thinking
• Empathy
• Forgiveness
• Generosity
• Grace
• Humility
• Non-Reactivity
• Non-Judgmental Thinking
• Nuanced Communication
• Resilience
• Self-Awareness
• Vulnerability
This Is Hard Work — But Worth It.
We don’t expect this learning journey to be perfect or easy. We all recognize that we’re humans and that this can get messy. That’s OK. In fact, that’s part of the process. What matters is how quickly we get back up, having the awareness to give ourselves grace, understanding how far to push yourself, and knowing the difference between being uncomfortable versus experiencing harm. We are all humans. And this work is recognizing our own and each other’s humanity in every conversation.
Science Partners
We are partnering with leading researchers to bring entertaining, evidence-backed exercises to our community. The exercises are designed to help all of us build habits that support more curiosity, compassion, and courage.
