In Scott Peck’s book, “A World Waiting to be Born:  Civility Rediscovered”, we learn that in order to become healthy organizations, we need to discover the art of civility.  Every organization will inevitably have conflict.  He goes on to say that, “As consciously motivated organizational behavior, civility (like healthy civics) requires consciousness of one’s self, consciousness of the other person, and consciousness of the organization, or larger system, relating the self and other.” 

The work of becoming observant, self-aware people is the cornerstone for engaging civility in our organizations.  We cannot expect someone else to do that work for us.  An organization can address its conflicts when the leaders (especially) can become conscious of their thoughts and emotions in deepening ways.