What are some effective strategies for challenging conventional wisdom in your field?

1 Identify the assumptions

The first step to challenge conventional wisdom is to identify the underlying assumptions that support it. What are the common beliefs, norms, or practices that are taken for granted in your field? How do they shape the way people think, act, or communicate? How do they limit the potential for innovation, diversity, or growth? By asking these questions, you can uncover the gaps, biases, or flaws in the conventional wisdom and expose them to critical scrutiny.

2 Provide evidence and logic

The second step to challenge conventional wisdom is to provide evidence and logic to support your alternative perspective. You need to show that your challenge is not based on personal opinions, preferences, or emotions, but on facts, data, or reasoning. You also need to explain how your perspective can offer more value, insight, or solutions than the conventional wisdom. You can use examples, stories, analogies, or frameworks to illustrate your points and make them more convincing and memorable.

3 Acknowledge the counterarguments

The third step to challenge conventional wisdom is to acknowledge the counterarguments that might arise from your challenge. You need to show that you have considered the other side of the issue and that you are open to constructive feedback and dialogue. You can do this by addressing the common objections, questions, or concerns that your audience might have and by providing counter-evidence, logic, or examples to refute them. You can also use qualifiers, concessions, or caveats to moderate your tone and avoid sounding too dogmatic or arrogant.

4 Invite participation and collaboration

The fourth step to challenge conventional wisdom is to invite participation and collaboration from your audience. You need to show that your challenge is not meant to impose your views or to criticize others, but to stimulate discussion and learning. You can do this by asking open-ended questions, soliciting feedback, encouraging comments, or proposing actions that your audience can take to explore or apply your perspective. You can also use humor, empathy, or gratitude to create rapport and trust with your audience.

6 Keep learning and evolving

The sixth step to challenge conventional wisdom is to keep learning and evolving as a thought leader. You need to show that your challenge is not a final or definitive answer, but a starting point for further inquiry, experimentation, or improvement. You can do this by updating your perspective with new evidence, logic, or examples and by acknowledging your limitations, mistakes, or uncertainties. You can also use feedback, criticism, or challenges from others as opportunities to refine, revise, or expand your perspective and to discover new possibilities, perspectives, or solutions.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?