From Conflict to Conversation:
Disagreement doesn't have to divide.
Too often, community conversations turn into battlegrounds, and differences become barriers. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Disagreement isn’t just natural—it’s necessary. The challenge isn’t to avoid conflict but to engage it productively.
Civic facilitator and mediator Matt Lehrman delivers interactive keynotes and workshops that equip leaders of councils, boards, and commissions to turn division into dialogue. Grounded in courage, civility, and trust, these sessions provide practical tools to navigate disagreement, foster understanding, and transform tensions into collaboration.
Whether elected, appointed, staff, or engaged citizens, leaders of all kinds will gain strategies to engage opposing viewpoints with purpose and empathy—building trust, strengthening relationships, and guiding their communities toward meaningful progress.
Key Takeaways:
- Master Courageous Conversations: Approach tough topics with empathy, confidence, and purpose.
- Build Unity Amid Division: Learn practical strategies to connect diverse groups and foster collaboration.
- Navigate Conflict with Emotional Intentionality: Transform anger and resistance into trust and cooperation.
- Lead Beyond Binary Choices: Inspire innovative solutions that transcend polarization.
- Strengthen Engagement in the Digital Age: Why meaningful dialogue and connection happen beyond social media.
Audience comments:
- Sensational and moving talk about community involvement and connection. Worth listening to!
- Excellent keynote...Entertaining, engaging, positive, while acknowledging the challenges facing school boards, he also provided solutions and ideas to keep the communication lines open.
- Energetic, engaging, informative. Good take-away tools and follow up. Conference speakers are hit or miss; you were a big hit. Thanks!
- Matt put us in the shoes of the people we serve ... opened my eyes to new opportunities.
- Informative, thought-provoking, and entertaining. Gave good insight.
- Matt brings to the surface what's most important … there's always something that can be done to help.”
- Pointed, matter of fact, and satisfyingly interactive.
Leading through Complexity:
Change challenges leaders—principles keep them steady.
Mounting challenges to civic unity, economic uncertainty, and political pressures are making local leadership increasingly difficult. The work of local governance—navigating conflict, engaging stakeholders, and fostering confidence in decisions—is more crucial than ever, as every choice influences a community’s stability and future.
Civic facilitator Matt Lehrman helps leaders recognize the full scope of change—spanning technology, the economy, demographics, the environment, AI, shifting workforce trends, and evolving societal expectations. He delivers practical strategies to build credibility, communicate clearly, and guide well-supported decisions. Through real-world examples and actionable insights, he equips leaders to turn conflict into progress, strengthen public trust, and reinforce local government’s role as a force for collaboration and impact.
Key Takeaways:
- Vision Clarity Amid Complexity – Recognize the full scope of change and lead with confidence despite uncertainty.
- Building Trust & Engagement – Foster collaboration by valuing diverse perspectives and strengthening public confidence.
- Turning Challenges into Progress – Navigate conflict, manage resistance, and implement strategies that drive long-term resilience.
Audience comments:
- “Real talk with real solutions. You leave with an attitude to change things and a feeling of hope.”
- “It’s an excellent way to see democracy in a way that has gotten lost when we are really trying to do business and solve community issues every day.”
A Community of Possibilities:
With vision and courage, no obstacle is insurmountable.
"A shared vision is at the heart of every thriving community," says Matt Lehrman as he helps leaders champion their community’s future. Using the concept of "ideastructure," Matt shares practical strategies to bring people together, gather consensus, and plan effectively. Learn how to turn today’s challenges into opportunities, shape a bold vision, and drive meaningful progress.
As the adage says, “In the distance, all walls are low.” This talk demonstrates how communities made up of people with many different experiences and expectations can rise above their differences by focusing on a shared future. Participants learn how to guide inclusive conversations, foster collaboration, and align diverse perspectives to create lasting progress and stronger connections.
Key Takeaways:
- Vision as a Unifying Force: Inspire collaboration and align people around bold, shared goals.
- Building Trust Through Generosity: Foster authentic engagement by inviting opinions and valuing diverse perspectives.
- Navigating Community Dynamics: Effectively work with different personality types and manage persistent naysayers.
- Transforming Challenges into Opportunities: Develop strategies to move beyond division and build resilience.
- Creating Lasting Momentum: Implement practical tools to sustain progress and keep communities focused on the future.
Audience comments:
- It is critical that we build courageous conversations into the cycle of civic engagement.
- This spoke to me not just as an elected official but also as a Presbyterian Pastor. So much of this information can be used to create civil conversations.
- It was a very interactive presentation, full of laughter points as well as critical thinking moments. The presentation kept us completely engaged.
Futurecast:
An Exercise in Future-Focused Leadership
Forget predictions. The future doesn’t just happen—you build it. This isn’t merely a speech—it’s a jolt of energy, a wake-up call wrapped in an electrifying, interactive experience. This is where leaders stop reacting and start shaping what’s next. Guided by Matt Lehrman, participants dive into a real-time, no-limits exploration of trajectories, opportunities, and bold possibilities.
With smartphones in hand, participants engage in collaborative, peer-to-peer exchanges that challenge assumptions, ignite fresh insights, and fuel deep reflection. They’ll walk away inspired, clear-eyed, and ready to take charge of the future—no matter how uncertain today feels.
If you don’t shape the future, the future will shape you. Futurecast puts you in control.
Key Takeaways:
- Your Vision, Sharpened in Seconds – Craft a 12-word vision statement in 90 seconds to clarify priorities and spark action.
- 8 Forces Shaping the Future – Explore major trends redefining your world and strategies to stay ahead.
- 5 Leadership Skills for What’s Next – Assess your strengths, identify growth areas, and work to future-proof your leadership.
- Breaking Barriers, Achieving Big Goals – Identify roadblocks, unlock collaboration, and take decisive first steps.
- The Timeless Key to Leadership – Discover enduring principles that earn trust and inspire people to follow.
Audience comments:
- Fast paced, dynamic, practical, and future-oriented. Extraordinary education.
- It was smart, but it also brought the audience together in a very human way.
- It was reassuring to speak with others who are experiencing similar struggles—it gave me hope that maybe we can collaborate and do better.
- Great use of tech to engage. Well done!
- Matt is a great workshop leader who made me comfortable and engaged right off the bat.
- Dynamic workshop; love all the small group conversations—walking away with so many great ideas!
- It really gets you thinking about difficult truths in a positive way.
Need help convening a
courageous conversation?
As a civic facilitator, I help people work together courageously to explore possibilities and make strategic decisions.
What can I help you and your community or organization achieve together?
