Edition 84 - Perspective on Perspective

Sometimes we just need to chill a bit and actually listen to another perspective - to give space - to seek understanding.

So many times we allow emotion to well up inside us and even overtake us as we listen to someone make statements that we disagree with. Something as simple as sharing a perspective or opinion can trigger us into an emotional place that totally shuts out anything that runs counter to our thinking. We get defensive or even offensive with our response.

It almost seems that the art of conversation has been lost. To some extent it probably has. We all bring biases into conversations that color our perspectives, right, wrong, or indifferent.

I recently participated in a strategic planning workshop. Within the workshop, we were able to read the responses of other team members to a set of interview questions that were posed in the weeks prior. One of the questions the facilitator posed was "What were you challenged by when reading the responses of others in the group?"

This had a very positive settling effect on me. Using the term 'challenged' seemed to be one of the keys to intaking and processing differing opinions and perspectives with a calm demeanor.

It gave me perspective on perspective.

Opposing or different perspectives are not our enemies. They are not argumentative. They are not invalid. They simply challenge our closely held opinions.

Once other perspectives are identified as things that challenge us, then we can get to a place where we can engage in productive conversation.

Steve Platia has been developing and leading high-performing teams, products, and processes in the renewable energy, manufacturing, oil/gas, and construction industries for over 30 years. He can be reached at [email protected] or (918) 269-0472.