“Building on the common ground that already exists is the key to bridging what divides us,” argues Lisa Sherman.

Add Yahoo as a preferred source to see more of our stories on Google. Conversational tools like 'looping' and 'reframing' can help move a conversation away from confrontation. Candra Ritonga/iStock ...

As Americans become more polarized, even family dinners can feel fraught, surfacing differences that could spark out-and-out conflict. Tense conversations often end with a familiar refrain: "Let's ...