Pause for a moment and let this sink in. Two people can experience the same thing and yet both see something different. Your unique view is shaped by your
individual perceptions which have been formed over time through experience, culture, religion, langauge…well, frankly, the gestalt of your life.
To be people brilliant, you must first accept that you will see the world differently from the way other people see it. To be even more brilliant, you must then allow for there to be multiple right interpretations of the world.
Take a look here:
Who is right?
The correct answer: BOTH!
Often in the workplace, individuals can see only the 6 OR the 9. This can cause conflict on teams and in critical relationships. Without an examination of one’s own perceptions and acknowledgement that there might be different, right interpretations, conflict can fester, harming collaboration and work progress.
The antidote? Mutual Understanding.
Ask a colleague into a conversation about a topic you likely disagree about (go big here…get meaty!)
- Begin with Curiosity: Express desire to understand their perspective
- Open Inquiry: Ask probing questions to gather more information
- Practice Active Listening: Listen for ideas which challenge your own.
Broadening perception does not mean you have to agree with their perspective; being people smart, however, does mean practicing broadening your own perspective and making room for others to have theirs too.
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