Tom Fishman and Jesús Mantas: The Skills We Need to Overcome Toxic Polarization

Episode recap:

Marcel’s guests, Tom Fishman and Jesús Mantas from the Builders—a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization—discussed strategies for overcoming toxic polarization by fostering constructive dialogue and bridging societal divides. The Builders empowers individuals through programs in media, civics, and education, believing that most people are flexible thinkers capable of respectful problem-solving. The conversation emphasized the importance of humility, empathy, and understanding in leading with love, creating positive work cultures, and building common ground. They highlighted the need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions, seek diverse perspectives, and engage in open dialogue to drive meaningful cultural change.

Bio:

Tom Fishman, CEO of Builders, has 15 years of experience building businesses and digital communities. He led MTV’s global digital strategy, growing its community to 250 million, and directed social video product strategy at Facebook’s Global Creative team. He also served as general manager at Eko, launching shoppable video experiences. Tom holds physics degrees from the University of Chicago and Columbia University.

Jesús Mantas, Global Managing Partner at IBM Consulting, leads a $10B business transformation unit. He is an Independent Director at Biogen, former member of the World Economic Forum’s Global AI Council, and supports minority-founded startups. He holds degrees in Telecommunications and Business Administration.

Quotes:

• "Teams where people can talk to each other in environments where they can authentically consider different points of view and challenge each other constructively will continue to outperform teams that only look at one way." – Jesus Mantas
• "When you actually seek out the other side of every decision, it's less likely that you'll take risks or be blindsided by risks you never considered." – Jesus Mantas

 

Takeaways:

• Develop the habit of actively seeking out diverse perspectives, even on topics you strongly disagree with. Approach it with an open mind to understand their reasoning, rather than to argue.
• Cultivate personal humility and recognize that your views and beliefs may not be 100% accurate. Be willing to change your mind when presented with new information.

 

Timestamps:

[00:05] Introduction

[03:58] How Tom is using media to fix America’s divides

[12:23] The 87% of people fed up with division—are you one of them?

[18:47] Is the media fueling division? Here’s what you can do about it

[35:22] Why humility and empathy are game changers in leadership

[55:02] Developing the muscle of empathy

[1:06:44] Final thoughts—how you can take action today

 

Conclusion:

Real change begins with personal responsibility. While large-scale shifts in systems and institutions matter, the most immediate impact comes from the choices individuals make every day. By shifting perspectives, adjusting habits, and taking intentional action, people can create meaningful progress in their own lives and communities. Waiting for external forces to solve problems only delays what can be changed from within. When individuals take ownership of their growth, they set the stage for lasting transformation.

 

Links/Resources:

Website: https://buildersmovement.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/builders/#

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/buildersmvt/posts/?feedView=all

Facebook: https://www

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