The Civility Paradox: Can We Agree on What Civility Means Today?

Hosted by the Mental Wellness Affinity Group (MWAG), this session is part of ongoing efforts to advance dialogue on mental wellness, reduce stigma, and strengthen cross-cultural understanding between the United States and Japan.

People tend to see themselves as respectful and civil, yet at the same time believe that society is becoming increasingly uncivil. This tension lies at the heart of the “civility paradox,” a growing gap between personal values and perceptions of others.

In this cross-generational, interactive fireside chat, Bill Imada (JALD’11), who convened a research team in response to growing concerns about civility emerging from his work with the National Millennial and Gen Z Community (NMGZ), will join MWAG Co-Chair and NMGZ alum Haruka Kokaze to share insights from a national study of 3,000 U.S. adults. Combining in-depth interviews and survey data, the research explores how civility is defined, experienced, and challenged in today’s world.

The session will highlight key findings, including:

• Generational differences in how civility is understood, practiced, and who is responsible for maintaining it
• The widening “self vs. others” gap, where most individuals view themselves as civil but lack trust in others
• The role of digital environments, polarization, and social norms in shaping perceptions of incivility
• The impact of incivility on mental health, with a majority reporting negative effects

Featured Speaker

Bill, co-founder and chairman of IW Group, has worked alongside some of the top companies in the U.S., including Coca-Cola, McDonald’s, Southern California Edison, Walmart Stores, Walt Disney Imagineering, Warner Bros., Wells Fargo and many others. As a specialist in multicultural and generational marketing, Bill is one of the leading experts in reaching diverse consumer and B2B markets. He’s active in civic and community affairs and serves on more than seven boards and advisory councils. Bill remains committed to all that he pursues and believes that the best work comes from people who care about what they are doing. A coffee fanatic, he spends his spare time searching for coffee roasters wherever he travels. Bill Imada is also an IPR Board of Trustees member.

Moderator