Pears Foundation

Why do discussions about politics, religion, identity or organisational values become so difficult, even when everyone involved is acting in good faith? Why do thoughtful, well-intentioned people reach very different conclusions about the same issue?

This interactive, online workshop introduces the work of moral psychologist Dr Jonathan Haidt, author of The Righteous Mind. His work explores how our moral intuitions shape the way we interpret situations and why presenting more evidence may not be enough to change minds.

Rather than focusing only on what people believe, we will explore why they are drawn to different moral perspectives. Understanding these patterns can help us communicate more effectively, navigate disagreement with greater confidence and build stronger relationships across difference.

The ideas will be particularly valuable for those whose work depends on engaging constructively with different perspectives, but are relevant to anyone leading people or working across organisations.

During the workshop, participants will:

• explore the distinction between our instinctive moral responses and the reasoning we use to explain them;
• reflect on their own moral intuitions and assumptions;
• explore Haidt’s moral foundations framework and consider how different moral priorities shape individuals, teams and organisational cultures;
• develop practical approaches to communicating with people who draw on different moral perspectives.

Participants should leave with a deeper understanding of why disagreement arises, greater empathy for different perspectives and practical tools for building trust and finding common ground without compromising their own values.

Please note: This is not an unconscious bias workshop. Although participants may reflect on their implicit biases, the primary focus is on the moral foundations that shape how we interpret the world and make decisions.

Audience: Open to all, but particularly relevant to senior managers and those working in policy or communications.

Facilitator: Shoshana Boyd Gelfand
Pears Foundation’s Director of Leadership and Learning

Pears grantees can book these sessions via the links in our professional development emails. Please email us at admin@pearsfoundation.org.uk if you are a Pears grantee and would like to receive these emails or are having difficulty booking a session.