Video: Ed Kless on Transformation Talks - Cancel Culture or Curious Culture? You Choose.
In the latest episode of Transformation Talks, host Donny Shimamoto, CPA.CITP, CGMA, leads a powerful discussion on “assumed discrimination”—the cultural collisions that happen when others project bias onto someone’s words or actions.
Joining him are Arianna Campbell, COO of Boomer Consulting; Ed Kless, co-founder of THRESHOLD and co-host of The Soul of Enterprise; and Amy Welch, APR, CAE, mission advocacy strategist with the Center for Accounting Transformation and SVP/executive producer for CPA Trendlines.
The episode begins by reframing how we talk. “Discussion” implies conflict, while “dialogue” is about listening. “The origin of ‘discussion’ is literally ‘to strike,’” says Kless. “But dialogue means ‘twin telling.’ That shift in mindset is everything.”
9 Key Takeaways
Dialogue is about mutual understanding, not winning an argument.
Assumed discrimination often stems from unspoken inferences.
Curiosity is a powerful tool for de-escalating misunderstanding.
Pausing before reacting leads to better, more thoughtful responses.
Trust and consistency are essential to creating safe spaces for communication.
Social media amplifies anxiety—sometimes, it’s okay to step back.
A public relations strategy rooted in authenticity can sustain your reputation.
Venting privately (journaling, writing) helps prevent public missteps.
It’s possible—and necessary—to hold space for respectful disagreement.
