Cultivating Civility Through Kindness, Empathy and Respect

Phillip P. Lanham is President and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation.

August is Civility Month, an important reminder for us to treat others with kindness, empathy and respect. In this time of divisiveness across the globe, the significance of unifying together to show respect and dignity for all resonates deeply with me. Fostering a more productive, inclusive community and understanding each other, even when we disagree, are cornerstones of a culture of respect we all want. The 2024 Summer Olympics, a unique example of civility with a history of over 2,000 years, serves as a powerful symbol of this concept.

This year’s Summer Olympics motto was “Games Wide Open,” representing the goal of delivering more responsible, inclusive, equal and extraordinary games. The three values of the Olympics are excellence, respect and friendship. The games represent an international sense of goodwill, bringing together athletes from all over the globe to promote sport, culture and education to build a better world. When I think of the Olympics, I think of civility.

According to ChatGPT, civility refers to “the behavior that shows respect, politeness, and consideration for others.” As President and CEO of Gulf Coast Community Foundation, I see civil discourse as the thread that ties together a thriving community with opportunities for all. Civility celebrates diversity, softens the tone of public discord and provides grace in a fast-paced society where news churns faster than our minds can absorb. Our Foundation has been committed to civility for well over a decade, with efforts like the Civility Squad, a cast of animated characters created to promote civil discourse and civic participation in the region that was transitioned to the Sarasota County School District in 2019.

Gulf Coast’s 2023 Regional Scan, composed of input from community members, identified three focus areas for our philanthropic efforts – Affordable Housing, Water Quality & Access to Green Space, and Mental Health. We cannot make a meaningful impact on these three priorities without a strong foundation of civility. Through the Regional Scan interviews, focus groups and surveys, we heard a constant theme from the community: public discourse has grown too polarized and combative. We all want a safe, sustainable, thriving and respectful region. Positivity multiplies positivity. Acting with civility can inspire others to be kinder and more communicative in conversations.

Three members of the Gulf Coast team, Kelly Borgia, Hollie Mowry and Sasha Pyatte, are currently participating in the Council on Foundation’s Bridging Differences Leadership Cohort. The cohort helps participants gain the skills to build constructive dialogue and understanding across all types of differences. The program offers research-based strategies for bridging differences with colleagues, peers, and grantees. Our team of three joins 62 other participants from across the globe in this journey that envisions philanthropy playing an essential part in cultivating a diverse, inclusive democracy where everyone belongs.

The three values of the Olympics—excellence, respect and friendship—give me hope for improved civil discourse. By nurturing and sustaining a culture of civility, we can all make the world a brighter place.