Seeing Others Can Help Heal a Divided World, but How? Harvard's Michèle Lamont Tells Us

02/21/24 • 34 min

How can something seemingly as simple as recognition help to heal society's deep divides? In this episode of Minds Worth Meeting, Whitney Jennings has a conversation with sociologist and Harvard University professor Michèle Lamont. She tells us how taking the time to see others and give recognition and dignity to all can redefine the workplace, and even society, to be a more sustainable environment in which people can be their authentic selves and thrive.
In this episode:

Michèle explains the long-term importance of recognition in the workplace as an aspect of good leadership.
We discuss how it's the responsibility of all managers to create a workplace that acknowledges the dignity of all workers.
Michèle tells us that stigmatization often begins with moral blaming, but narrative change can help us understand the differences between groups, a process that organizations play a central role in.

Where to find Michèle Lamont:

Michèle Lamont's Website
Michèle's book, "Seeing Others: How Recognition Works―and How It Can Heal a Divided World"
Michèle Lamont on X (Twitter)
Michèle's Harvard University Faculty Profile

Click or tap here to learn more about Michèle Lamont and how she equips companies with a unique, non-partisan perspective on how to create conditions where recognition, dignity, equality, respect, inclusion and destigmatization are actively promoted in empowering workplace environments.
Like what you hear? Subscribe, rate and share Minds Worth Meeting wherever you get your favorite podcasts!

Text us and let us know your thoughts on this episode!

Music by AudioCoffee:
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Michèle explains the long-term importance of recognition in the workplace as an aspect of good leadership.
We discuss how it's the responsibility of all managers to create a workplace that acknowledges the dignity of all workers.
Michèle tells us that stigmatization often begins with moral blaming, but narrative change can help us understand the differences between groups, a process that organizations play a central role in.

Where to find Michèle Lamont:

Michèle Lamont's Website
Michèle's book, "Seeing Others: How Recognition Works―and How It Can Heal a Divided World"
Michèle Lamont on X (Twitter)
Michèle's Harvard University Faculty Profile

Text us and let us know your thoughts on this episode!

Music by AudioCoffee:
https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Previous Episode

How Can You Become a Great Boss and a 'Good-ish' Person? Dolly Chugh Explains

How can we become ‘good-ish’ people? For that matter, what is a ‘good-ish’ person? In this episode of Minds Worth Meeting, Whitney Jennings and Justin Louis speak with NYU Stern School of Business professor and social psychologist Dolly Chugh. She explains how being a ‘good-ish’ person allow us to better relate to others, become great leaders and understand a past that hasn't always been one of beauty and honor.

In this episode:

Dolly explains what a ‘good-ish’ person is and how to become one.
We talk about how to be a great boss by becoming more self-aware of how the way we show up to work impacts others.
We reminisce about View-Master and Pillow Pets and discuss the connections we create by invoking nostalgia.
Dolly then tells us that it is possible to appreciate nostalgia while taking important lessons from a complicated past.

Where to find Dolly Chugh

Dolly Chugh’s “Dear Good People” newsletter
Dolly’s book, “A More Just Future: Psychological Tools for Reckoning with Our Past and Driving Social Change“
Dolly’s book, “The Person You Mean to Be: How Good People Fight Bias“

Click or tap here to learn more about Dolly Chugh and how she equips companies with strategies and techniques to become truly inclusive, effective leaders in their industry.

Text us and let us know your thoughts on this episode!

Music by AudioCoffee:
https://www.audiocoffee.net/

Next Episode

Hear Our Favorite Moments from Season 3

What do the geek takeover, rethinking economies, unparalleled resilience, appreciating nostalgia while understanding our past and ensuring recognition and dignity for all have in common?

They’re just a few of the memorable lessons we learned this past season on Minds Worth Meeting. Join us as our hosts Whitney Jennings and Justin Louis take a look back at our favorite moments of Season 3.

In this episode:

Renowned MIT researcher Andrew McAfee tells us about his new book, “The Geek Way” and why he’s an optimist about the technology of tomorrow.
Acclaimed New Yorker writer and lecturer at the UC Berkeley Graduate School of Journalism, Nick Romeo discusses his latest book, “The Alternative”.
Holocaust survivor and author Tova Friedman shares her lessons on how we can choose peace over hate and the message she gave to world leaders at the United Nations.
NYU professor, social psychologist and author of “A More Just Future,” Dolly Chugh tells us what it means to be a “good-ish” person and why it’s important to appreciate the positives while acknowledging the negatives of our past.
Harvard professor, sociologist and author of “Seeing Others,” Michèle Lamont tells us how taking the time to see others and give recognition and dignity to all can redefine the workplace.

Want to learn more about our guests? Click on a name below for their latest work and information on how your organization can work with them:

Like what you hear? Subscribe, rate and share Minds Worth Meeting wherever you get your favorite podcasts!

Text us and let us know your thoughts on this episode!

Music by AudioCoffee:
https://www.audiocoffee.net/