It depends upon:
- The nature of the workplace. Is your organization supposed to be nonpolitical such as a City Clerk's office? How would customers feel it they overheard the discussion?
- Timing. Are emotions running too high for a calm discussion?
- How well the participants know one another. Relative strangers may be more inclined to ascribe bad faith to each other.
- Whether both sides are committed to maintaining a positive relationship. This commitment will strengthen civility.
- Whether the participants are genuinely willing to consider other perspectives. Are they more interested in clarity than in being right?
- Whether the participants can agree to disagree. Can they hear each other out without harming the team or their relationship?
- How often the discussions occur. The more frequent the discussion, the greater the potential for harm.
- Whether the participants can discuss matters in a polite manner in an atmosphere of mutual respect.
If those items are not present, the team may be stronger if its members save political discussions for their private lives.
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