Now that you can see in two eyes...
“Give me a one-handed economist”, an American President Harry Truman was known for making such request under a deep frustration. He further explained, “All my economists say, ‘on the one hand...but on the other hand...'”. I suppose many decision makers can relate to such frustration by the fact that a true expert's input is not simple.
At the same time, I believe it is a valuable capability and virtue that we can see two (and or multiple) sides in our real life, regardless of the frustration from the complexity you may need to deal with. I would like to pull the perspective with three tools.
- Coin
I find it is highly valuable when I intentionally recognize there are always two sides in a coin. While I try to be clear on what my thought and opinion is, thus which side I stand, I find it is worthwhile I check out what may be on the other side. It is even effective to say out loudly starting this powerful sentence, "On the other side of the coin...", even if you felt there is absolutely nothing valuable on the other side, and force yourself to touch upon the other perspective. An option is truly valuable when pros and cons are sufficiently reviewed. Depending on how you structure, strengths and weaknesses can be easily reversed, which was repeatedly affirmed by renown generals and business gurus. Truly wise people know what disguised misfortunes mean and how a crisis can turn into an opportunity.
2. Pendulum Swing
Now, expanding into three dimensional views, I think it is important to understand what we can learn from a pendulum swing. First, it reminds me the fact that things are kinetic by nature, even if it looks static in very short-time. Thus it is quite helpful to connect different dots over time, not just in a snap-shot. My fascination of history is, as a matter of fact, this perspective. Second, it helps me think that certain drive will reach its maximum at some point, thus I should know (or at least try to find out) how fast and how much the pendulum will swing back. Such perspective truly gives me an agile stance under any circumstance. Lastly, it also forces me to think whether it is a time to push through toward the direction I was heading, or a time to turn around and pursue a new direction. Needless to say, it is very difficult to make the right call, but I find such effort itself has a tremendous value. Pendulum swings are simple, on its surface, but the implications it may generate can be profound.
3. Two by Two matrix
Among several tools I find most useful, two by two matrix is by far the most powerful one, regardless of my proficiency of it. Truly powerful two by two matrix simply pulls out what contradicting two variables are most important, and how the two variables dynamic can impact results. For sure life is not that simple, but this tool helps me see at least four quadrants that two sides of a coin or constant swings of pendulum might have not addressed. Even when my matrix turn out to be a mediocre one, I keep trying to draw the two line on a whiteboard and tell myself, "Hanjun, let's try on!".
Although we all can relate to Harry Truman's desire to find a simple answer to complex problems, I suppose we need to embrace the complex aspects of life. Then we might be able to see what is a blessing in disguise, while steering our way out on a bumpy road without too much stress. Now that you can see in two eyes, let's truly see the multiple aspects with a joy.
p.s. This article is a combination of my previous articles in a different angle.