For leaders working to foster trust and engagement

From Conflict

to Conversation

Creating Space for Courageous Civic Dialogue

“Disagreement isn’t just natural—it’s necessary.”


At a time when public discourse so often collapses into division, Matt Lehrman delivers a compelling, non-partisan approach to helping community leaders embrace disagreement as an essential part of progress. He equips civic leaders—elected officials, appointed board members, and professional staff—to turn opposing viewpoints into opportunities for connection, problem-solving, and trust-building, even when tensions are high and trust is low.


With vivid storytelling, thought-provoking prompts, and real-time interaction, Matt shows audiences how to transform conflict into understanding. Practical tools like his “Tell me more” technique give leaders a clear framework for reducing defensiveness, fostering trust, and making space for the hard conversations that move communities forward.


Why This Keynote Stands Out

  • Non-partisan and practical – Models respectful dialogue that works across political, cultural, and organizational divides.
  • Built for real-world challenges – Equips leaders to reduce defensiveness, lower the temperature, and keep conversations productive when tensions are high.
  • Action-ready tools – Delivers memorable techniques like “Tell me more” that participants can use immediately to foster trust and make space for constructive disagreement.


CHAT WITH MATT

For leaders working to foster trust and engagement

From Conflict

to Conversation

Creating Space for Courageous Civic Dialogue

“Disagreement isn’t just natural—it’s necessary.”


At a time when public discourse so often collapses into division, Matt Lehrman delivers a compelling, non-partisan approach to helping community leaders embrace disagreement as an essential part of progress. He equips civic leaders—elected officials, appointed board members, and professional staff—to turn opposing viewpoints into opportunities for connection, problem-solving, and trust-building, even when tensions are high and trust is low.


With vivid storytelling, thought-provoking prompts, and real-time interaction, Matt shows audiences how to transform conflict into understanding. Practical tools like his “Tell me more” technique give leaders a clear framework for reducing defensiveness, fostering trust, and making space for the hard conversations that move communities forward.


Why This Keynote Stands Out

  • Non-partisan and practical – Models respectful dialogue that works across political, cultural, and organizational divides.
  • Built for real-world challenges – Equips leaders to reduce defensiveness, lower the temperature, and keep conversations productive when tensions are high.
  • Action-ready tools – Delivers memorable techniques like “Tell me more” that participants can use immediately to foster trust and make space for constructive disagreement.


CHAT WITH MATT

Especially relevant for: leadership development, governance training, and any effort to strengthen public trust and dialogue across differences


With an energetic pre-conference workshop and an inspiring opening keynote, Matt Lehrman was an essential partner in the launch of our Civility Initiative. And even more impressive. he fully attended our entire annual conference. Many speakers show up, speak, and disappear, but every time I turned around he was participating in a session, engaging in the exhibit areas, and speaking with our members. That speaks volumes. He cares deeply about his subject matter and invests back in the organizations and people he serves.

Todd Glover, Executive Director, Municipal Association of South Carolina Conference


Matt Lehrman’s “From Conflict to Conversation” keynote brought great spirit and substance to the North Dakota League of Cities’ Annual Conference. He’s an incredibly engaging speaker who inspires community leaders to live up to their highest values while also teaching them pragmatic skills to help people join together to solve problems. Matt’s conversational style (he’s a natural at group facilitation) was an ideal way for our members to reconnect with each other while tackling sensitive but important topics.

Blake Crosby, Executive Director, North Dakota League of Cities


Matt was fantastic to work with, and really resonated with our audience. Several of the mayors in attendance shared with me they have already applied what they learned, and put new skills to good use in their meetings. We hope to bring him back to Kansas for a future event – and maybe this time we won’t be in the middle of a tornado warning!

Kate Cooley, Director of Engagement, League of Kansas Municipalities


Matt Lehrman’s keynote presentation was the highlight of our 2021 Annual Conference. His message that “Where people work together courageously, their potential is unlimited.” was timely, relevant and delivered with passion and enthusiasm. He thoroughly captured the attention of an audience of elected, appointed, and staff community leaders, which is no small feat. His breakout session the next day was standing room only. And as an added bonus – he was a delight to work with!

Carol Graves, Communications Director, Tennessee Municipal League


Matt’s message is both inspirational and practical. In this time where incivility in public settings has become far too common, his advice offers a path to pull people together toward common ground and consensus.

Scott Mooneyham, Director of Political Communication and Coordination, North Carolina League of Municipalities