There's little talk about the phenomenon that may be affecting our country more than we realize.
I grew in Arlington Virginia, just outside Washington, D.C. Two guys I went to high school with had fathers who were Congressmen. One was a Republican, the other a Democrat.
Both sons went to the same schools; they played on the same soccer teams. Their mothers went to the same PTAs, and we all ate at the same Pizza Hut on Friday night.
Lots of the other kids I went to school with had parents who were staffers; people from both parties served as chief of staff, office manager, press secretary and the like for a congressperson or senator.
Their families went to the same parks on the weekend, checked out books from the same public library, and played on the same Little League teams.
As kids, we weren't aware of the politics at the time. We just knew that a lot of parents worked "on the hill."
But then things changed. The Congressional calendar was adjusted so that members could live in their districts. Instead of living with their families in D.C., they commuted to D.C. a few days a week during session, but lived in home states.
On the surface it made sense for elected officials to live with their constituents.
But I believe that there was unexpected fallout. It took years to manifest, but we're seeing the results right now.
When Congressmen lived in D.C., their families knew each other. They'd been on sidelines cheering their kids' sport teams. Their wives and staffers were on the same PTAs.
This created a social structure that greased the wheels of the political structure.
It gave people an opportunity to see each other more holistically. When you see a guy trying to cheer his kid up after they lost another game, it's much harder to demonize him. You're a lot less likely to be nasty to him if you know you're going to have to see him in front of your kids.
Even if you don't like the guy, if both of your wives sit on the same PTA, you're going to think twice before calling him names in public. Imagine the conversation at home, "You called him what?? I have to see that woman this weekend!" But when Congressmen (and they were mostly men back then) moved to their home districts, they were no longer part of the same social structure as their colleagues across the aisle. Most senior staffers live in the home district as well. So no one has any natural social connections with anyone from the other side. The only time they meet is when they're negotiating.
I believe that lack of social proximity is contributing to political polarization more than we realize.
Workplace studies have proven that proximity increased collaboration.
A University of Michigan study revealed researchers who occupy the same building are 33 percent more likely to form new collaborations than researchers who occupy different buildings. Other studies have shown similar results.
Proximity improves collaboration, and social connections elevate civility.
If members of Congress were forced to sit at Pizza Hut together every Friday with their kids, this problem would already be solved.
But when you get elected by demonizing the other side and you never see them as anything but a political enemy, it's hard to imagine why you would want to collaborate with them.
We create this people; we can fix it.
Lisa Earle McLeod is a sales leadership consultant. Companies like Apple, Kimberly-Clark and Pfizer hire her to help them create passionate, purpose-driven sales forces.
She is the author of several books including The Triangle of Truth: The Surprisingly Simple Secret to Resolving Conflicts Large and Small a Penguin publication. She has appeared on The Today Show, and has been featured in Forbes, Fortune and The Wall Street Journal. She provides executive coaching sessions, strategy workshops, and keynote speeches.
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.