Is it possible to care for those who disagree with you? Wisdom of the Wounded reached out to individuals whose jobs often put them at ideological cross purposes: politicians. In this video, we talk with former Michigan state legislators David Rutledge and Amanda Price about the ways they respectfully and successfully worked across the aisle — and became trusted colleagues in the process. Watch the video to hear David Rutledge’s five principles for “building bridges” in scenarios where you might strongly disagree with someone.

Principles for Respecting Those Who Disagree with You

1. Take people as they are, not how you think they should be.
2. Listen carefully, and genuinely try to see the other person’s perspective—even if you don’t understand it.
3. Look for opportunities where mutual trust exists.
4. Trust begets loyalty. True friends are loyal without question.
5. Mutual respect is the glue that holds the relationship together.

Want more stories like this one? See our Challenging Relationships section to learn how to Care Well even amidst difficult conversations or situations.