By Jeff Whitaker
So what now? In the aftermath of the last election, opinions are still flying around, as they should. After all, we live in a country that, fortunately, allows us to speak our minds and share our thoughts. With all the chatter, name-calling, anger and excitement over the past few months, I’d like to share some of what I’ve been processing.
“So, now what?” I ask myself. “What is my responsibility, not only to myself, but to others?”
First of all, I am responsible for myself, my thoughts and my actions. I’m not responsible for you. You are responsible for you.
It’s no secret when it comes to politics and even culture in 2025, the spectrum of thought and convictions is wide and often deeply divided. If you’re like me, you’ve had a flood of emotions recently and strong opinions on certain topics and views. As I scroll social media, the temptation is to comment, give a thumbs-up, and like or dislike comments where I have an opinion.
But then I remember that to join the chorus with the people I agree with, or to argue back with those I don’t, really doesn’t add anything to the conversation. My comments, no matter how elegant or well thought-out I believe them to be, won’t change anyone’s opinion. I’ll either receive some reply of “yes, I agree” or “you don’t know what you’re talking about!” That only inflames the discussion.
So I ask again, now what? Well, again, I am responsible for myself. I’m not responsible for you.
On the other hand, I do have a responsibility to you. I have a responsibility to listen to you in order to try to understand you.
Sure, I have strong opinions. And I have a reason for those opinions. But it never hurts to listen to someone else. The reality is, we all come from different backgrounds and life experiences. Those factors all contribute to the person we are today and influence the opinions and values we hold dear.
In a world where there is still much division, it’s important to listen. I’ve heard it described as the reason God gave us one mouth and two ears. When it comes to listening and treating people well, personal responsibility plays a huge role in building trust, fostering empathy, and developing mutual respect for others.
I don’t know about you. But, too often, I’m fighting the urge to think about a point I want to make instead of taking the time to listen. Instead of merely waiting for our turn to speak or formulating responses prematurely, we need to actively focus on understanding the other person’s message, emotions and perspective. This involves setting aside distractions, maybe asking clarifying questions, and not rushing to judge or interrupt.
The reality is that every interaction we have with someone, in person or through social media, leaves an impression. It’s up to us as to whether it’s positive or negative. Choosing kindness, patience, and respect in our treatment of others reflects our integrity and emotional maturity.
It also makes us more self-aware. It causes us to reflect on our biases, assumptions, and emotional triggers that may affect our interactions. In a broader sense, personal responsibility in communication is about acknowledging the ripple effects of our behavior. When we listen with intent and treat others with respect, we inspire similar behavior in return. This can lead to a culture of trust and open discussion. Who knows? We may even learn something new. These are just a few thoughts I’ve been having lately based on where we are in our country.
Jeff Whitaker is a veteran broadcaster here in South Jersey. He now draws on his experience and training to work with companies and individuals to develop effective storytelling, communications and leadership skills. Find free resources and ways Jeff can work with you at jeffwhitaker.com
