Tired of so much adversity and polarization? Who are you listening to? Instead of talking with people who agree with you, have conversations with those who don’t.
Start with listening. Is there something you agree with? Use that as your reference point when you do start to talk.
Thursday Thoughts: If you’re so sure you’re right that you can’t even listen to another view, you’re probably wrong.
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In addition to my regular leadership blog, I offer “Thursday Thoughts” – simple truths that provide an opportunity for reflection and deeper understanding.
Couldn’t agree more with your ‘Thursday Thought’ – such an important suggestion. IF you believe your thinking is right, take it out on a test run by first listening to different points of view and then discussing differences with each other. If you are on the right track, your views will be strengthened and others will acknowledge your thinking. If you’ve misinterpreted things, you’ll gain confidence to revisit your thinking. Win-win for you. (Late Stephen Covey: “Seek first to understand and then to be understood.)
OR you can join virtually all politicians – seeking blind acceptance of your views (not thinking as I don’t think many politicians are allowed to think by their lobbyist handlers) by following the scripts provided, interacting only with those politicians parroting from the same scripts. Yes, my views only but ones hopefully shared by other thinkers!!!
Well said, John. Not only will discussing it with others who see things differently help strength your views, if you’re on the right track, it will help you refine them and find ways to communicate them that can be heard. The danger, as you point out, is in blind acceptance. It’s the lazy way out.