You know how the holidays go—your calendar quickly fills up with parties, events, and (let’s be honest) a few awkward conversations with distant relatives. You’ve dealt with Uncle George and his out-there opinions before . . . so, you’ve got this, right?

But what about when those uncomfortable moments happen at work? How does your workplace foster a culture of safety and respect, even when polarizing topics come up?

Without a culture of safety and respect, these polarizing moments can escalate into tension, disengaged team members, and yes—even talent loss. But a culture that leans into curiosity, sees these moments as opportunities for growth, and embraces diverse perspectives?

That’s a culture that thrives.

We get it—it’s easier said than done. So how can you start fostering a culture that celebrates differences instead of fearing them?

Here are a few action steps:

• Offer training and workshops on active listening, asking effective questions, and approaching conversations with an open mind.
• Encourage leaders and managers to model curiosity in their interactions with employees—after all, they set the tone!
• Incorporate curiosity-building activities into team meetings and offsites, like asking team members to share a perspective they don’t normally express.
• Establish clear norms and guidelines that emphasize the value of curiosity—for example, agreeing to suspend judgement and focus on learning from each other.
• Create opportunities for cross-functional collaboration to introduce employees to different perspectives and parts of the organization.
• Encourage employees to actively seek out feedback and diverse opinions, rather than relying on their own assumptions.

Keep reading for more tips and insights on how to make your workplace a respectful, safe, and curious environment that’s prepared for all kinds of conversations—even the polarizing ones!