The Institute for Civility explains that civility is more than just being polite. It means standing up for your own beliefs and needs while still respecting others who disagree with you. Real civility isn't about fake niceness that hides your true feelings.
Instead, it's about having honest conversations where you can disagree without being mean or disrespectful. The institute teaches that civility means finding common ground to start talking about your differences. It also means understanding your own biases and helping others do the same.
This approach helps people resolve conflicts in a healthy way. The goal is to build understanding between people, even when they have different opinions. This definition has been used by many researchers and writers, including Brené Brown in her book 'Braving the Wilderness.' The institute believes that practicing civility connects us to our shared humanity through respect, kindness, and compassion.