Discussion Facilitator Guide

A step-by-step guide for leading productive conversations about the 20 values Americans share. Works for classrooms, community groups, town halls, and civic organizations.

Before You Begin

This guide helps you lead conversations around a simple but powerful idea: Americans agree on far more than we realize. The 20 values documented at We Agree More are backed by research from Gallup, Pew, and other nonpartisan sources — each showing broad consensus across political, racial, and geographic lines.

Your role as facilitator is not to convince anyone of anything. It is to create a space where people can discover for themselves how much they share with people they assumed they disagreed with.

Ground Rules

Share these at the start of every session. Post them visibly if possible.

1.Listen to understand, not to respond.
2.Speak from personal experience — use "I" statements.
3.Respect differences. Disagreement is welcome; disrespect is not.
4.Assume good intentions from everyone in the room.
5.Stay curious — ask questions instead of making accusations.
6.Keep what is shared in the room confidential.

Materials Needed

• Printed copies of the 20 Values Summary (one per participant)
• Whiteboard, flip chart, or shared digital doc for group notes
• Markers or pens
• Optional: Value cards (cut out each value from the summary for sorting activities)
• Timer for structured activities

Choose Your Format

Quick Round (15–20 minutes)

Best for: Icebreakers, staff meetings, classroom warm-ups

1.Pick 5 values from the list at random. Read each title and stat aloud.
2.Ask: "Which of these surprises you the most? Why?"
3.Go around the room — each person shares one reaction (1 minute each).
4.Close with: "What does it tell us that we agree on so much?"

Deep Dive (45–60 minutes)

Best for: Classrooms, community groups, civic organizations

1.Distribute the printable summary (all 20 values) to each participant.
2.Individual reflection (5 min): Each person silently picks the 3 values most important to them.
3.Pair share (10 min): Partners compare their picks. Where do they overlap? Where do they differ?
4.Small group discussion (15 min): Groups of 4–6 find the values everyone in the group chose. Discuss: "Why do you think this value resonates so broadly?"
5.Full group debrief (15 min): Each group shares their most surprising finding. Facilitator tracks themes on a whiteboard.
6.Closing reflection: "Name one thing you learned about someone else's perspective today."

Bridge-Building Workshop (90 minutes)

Best for: Mixed-perspective groups, town halls, interfaith gatherings

1.Opening (10 min): Facilitator presents 3–4 values with the highest agreement stats. Ask: "Before we discuss what divides us, can we acknowledge what we share?"
2.Personal stories (20 min): In pairs, each person shares a story from their life connected to one of the 20 values. The listener only asks clarifying questions — no debating.
3.Values mapping (20 min): Groups of 6 receive all 20 values on cards. Task: Sort them into "Values we act on well as a community" and "Values we aspire to but fall short on." Discuss the gap.
4.Common ground statement (15 min): Each group writes a one-sentence statement starting with "We all believe that..." based on their discussion.
5.Gallery walk (10 min): Groups post their statements. Everyone walks around reading them.
6.Action planning (10 min): "Based on what we share, what is one thing our community could do together?"
7.Closing circle (5 min): Each person shares one word that describes how they feel leaving.

Discussion Starters by Value

Use these questions to spark deeper conversation about specific values.

Family Comes First: "What does family mean to you — and has that definition changed over time?"

A Deep Love of Freedom: "What freedom matters most to you personally? Do you think others value the same one?"

Belief in Hard Work: "Do you believe hard work always leads to success? When does it — and when doesn't it?"

Wanting Safe Communities: "What makes a community feel safe? Is it the same things for everyone?"

Value of Education: "What was the most important thing you learned in school — and was it in a classroom?"

Basic Fairness & Equal Rules: "Can you think of a time the rules felt unfair? What would fairness have looked like?"

Respect for Veterans & Service Members: "Do you know a veteran? How has their service shaped your understanding of sacrifice?"

Belief in Opportunity: "Is the American Dream still alive? What does opportunity look like where you live?"

Pride in Community: "What makes you proud of your community? What would make it even better?"

Generosity and Kindness: "When was the last time a stranger helped you — or you helped a stranger?"

Spirit of Innovation: "What problem do you wish someone would invent a solution for?"

Love of the Natural World: "What natural place matters most to you? Why?"

Respect for Spiritual Life: "How does faith or spirituality — or the absence of it — shape your daily life?"

Belief in Justice: "What does justice look like to you? Is it the same as fairness?"

Wanting Affordable Healthcare: "Has healthcare cost ever affected a decision you or your family made?"

Faith in Democratic Ideals: "What would make you feel more represented in our democracy?"

Basic Human Dignity: "When have you seen someone's dignity honored — or denied? What happened?"

Entrepreneurial Spirit: "Have you ever dreamed of starting something of your own? What stopped you — or didn't?"

Protecting Children: "What is the most important thing adults can do to protect children today?"

Optimism About the Future: "What gives you hope about the future — even on hard days?"

Handling Difficult Moments

Productive conversations sometimes hit rough patches. Here are common situations and how to navigate them.

If: Someone dismisses a value as "obvious" or "not meaningful"

Redirect: "It may seem obvious, but research shows most Americans don't realize others share this value. Why do you think that gap exists?"

If: The conversation turns partisan or political

Refocus: "We're not here to debate policies. Let's come back to the underlying value — do we all agree on the goal, even if we disagree on the path?"

If: Someone says "This is naive — we're too divided"

Acknowledge and reframe: "That feeling is real and valid. Part of what we're exploring is why it feels that way when the data shows so much agreement. What do you think causes that disconnect?"

If: One person dominates the conversation

Gently redirect: "Thank you for sharing. I'd love to hear from someone who hasn't spoken yet. Does anyone have a different perspective?"

If: Emotional moment or personal disclosure

Honor it: "Thank you for trusting us with that. Does anyone else connect with what was just shared?" Give the room a moment of silence if needed.

Tips for a Great Session

• Start with agreement. Open with values that have the highest consensus (democracy at 93%, freedom at 92%). It sets a positive tone.
• Use the stats as conversation starters, not conversation enders. The numbers open the door; the stories that follow are what change minds.
• Don't rush to consensus. The goal isn't to make everyone agree on everything. It's to help people see they already agree on more than they thought.
• End with action. Even a small commitment — "I'll ask someone I disagree with what values matter to them" — creates momentum.
• Share your experience with us. Email [email protected] to let us know how it went.

We Agree More — Discussion Facilitator Guide