Building bridges with words

Everywhere I look, I see communication gaps.

From seemingly trivial moments in both personal and professional life to the more profound issues of a society teetering on the brink of conflict, these gaps are hard to ignore. Over time, especially between 2020 and 2022, this divide has only deepened, as the world has split into polarized groups—divisions that seem to lack any meaningful intersection. The subjects of contention shift with the news cycle—from health crises to social movements like wokism (which, in my view, in attempting to make intolerant people more tolerant, risks eroding the tolerance of the tolerant), and now, to the unimaginable: the threat of World War III. The world has been reduced to binary terms—good and bad, left and right—while the nuanced grey areas fade into the background. We are increasingly asked to choose sides between people or groups, not arguments themselves, forcing us to align with a specific faction and, in doing so, be labeled as either good or bad depending on the context.

I find myself asking, flabbergasted: where have the wise words of my grandma gone?

She always said that the real world resides in the grey areas—there’s no such thing as black and white. Yes, sometimes you’re right, and that confidence should empower you to also acknowledge when you’re wrong. That’s what learning is all about—supporting each other, nurturing relationships, and creating win-win situations. True growth happens in that delicate space of balance and humility. She also tried to teach me the art of silence, though I’ve evolved that lesson into something more personal—not willing to sacrifice the courage to speak up when it matters, while also knowing when it’s more intelligent to listen, or healthier to simply walk away.

Research has shown that admitting our mistakes leads to greater self-awareness and better decision-making. By embracing vulnerability and acknowledging our imperfections, we cultivate emotional intelligence and foster trust—both in personal and professional relationships. This mindset doesn’t just enrich our own lives; it contributes to a more empathetic, understanding society.

For one of my recent workshops, I revisited my favorite book on charisma, a subject that has fascinated me since childhood. I’ve always been captivated by how some individuals have the ability to move a crowd—whether for good or ill. Those who know me best also know that one book is never enough. 🙂 I thrive on gathering more—sometimes even contradictory—information that challenges me to think, discuss, and synthesize. This journey led me to another book, where I delved deeper into the concepts of presence and power, uncovering the crucial distinction between collective power (power over) and individual power (power of), including the forms of communication that happen without words. Along the way, I also explored works on manipulation, propaganda, and the complex ways communication can either build or destroy bridges.

I’ve always loved the metaphor of “building bridges,” which is why I created my latest newsletter: Building Bridges with Words. It’s free (and free of nonsense), insightful (combining theory and practice), and designed to show how incredible the world can be when we use the right words, with the right people, at the right time. This works best when there’s mutual understanding of different perspectives on both sides.

So, feel free to dive in and explore the power of words to create connection, understanding, and transformation. I’d be honored to count you as a frequent reader and… who knows, perhaps one day we might collaborate in my capacity as a content manager, ghostwriter, speechwriter, or through one of my workshops (creativity, charisma, and storytelling being my absolute favorites).

For now, I invite you to dive in: