A culture of belonging is critical as we navigate the workplace, our neighborhoods, social interactions and our entire city.

Commentary by Jeff Worrell I have often said that when it comes to civility, “Our children are watching and paying attention to how we...

The backyard barbeque is an Indiana summer tradition whose days are sadly numbered for this year. I can still smell the scent of sizzling sausages and hear the competitive thwack of a lively game of croquet. Do I dare believe incivility can show up, too?

Leadership consultant John Maxwell offers valuable insight: The key to preserving relationships lies in the art of listening.

It’s that time again – back-to-school season! Some of those who will spend Monday through Friday in a place of education are pumped, while others might be feeling a bit nervous. That mix provides plenty of opportunity to foster a culture of civility both in the classroom and out.

Perhaps it’s a small, selfless gesture that can make a big, immediate impact on civility in Carmel.

What is the difference between warning versus vengeance in the name of civility?

“Of course, I didn’t actually mean it,” or “I know I said it, but I didn’t think you would take it literally.” Somewhere along the way, it became OK to not mean what we say.

It was a typical Carmel Dads’ Club baseball Saturday in April when the next player up to bat and his father, the coach, realized the athlete’s grandfather in the stands just collapsed because of a heart attack.

Multiple recent books have linked the rise in teenage anxiety to the lack of civility in our society. Today’s teenagers are heavily influenced by social media, where conflicts and unrealistic comparisons can fuel their angst.

Today, our behaviors reflect whether our incivilities have a higher purpose or are just power plays.

Carmel’s rebranding effort is more than just a cosmetic change; it’s a strategic move to unify our vision and showcase our unique identity.

A quote often attributed to one of America’s greatest presidents is another easy-to-remember maxim for engaging civility in your daily life. I like to think of Abraham Lincoln and imagine him saying, “I don’t like that man. I must get to know him better.”

While I see the value of customer reviews in the proper forum, there is nothing civil about unleashing a torrent of negative comments motivated simply by the need to punish, harm or to exact a price.

Queen Victoria honored a visiting dignitary with a splendid, public banquet. Course after course was delivered to each guest by attentive staff. At the conclusion of the meal, finger bowls filled with water were passed around for the guests to clean their hands. The honored VIP, unfamiliar with the custom, lifted the bowl to his mouth and drank from it.

Through the years, as the programmed pace of family life in America gets faster and faster, having a leisurely neighbor-to-neighbor conversation at the mailbox is becoming less common.

In 2024, civility is growing in Carmel. Despite the reminders that incivility has been around since the caveman days, I am encouraged by the positive feedback and advice I receive. While I don’t expect society’s tendency towards incivility to disappear, I believe that small steps taken by each of us can make a big difference.

Trust is the cornerstone of a civil community where the act of civility is founded on seeing each other as moral equals and worthy of our respect.

In today’s world, where face-to-face conversations are often replaced by digital communication, teaching civility to the next generation is more crucial than ever.

Since launching the We Can Do Better civility project in Carmel, the enthusiasm and support from every corner of our community has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s clear that fostering a culture of respect and understanding is something that resonates deeply with many of us.