Remaining objective in the midst of good intentions.

We judge the world continually. Our filter of what is right or wrong, good or bad, is a purely primitive instinct. We don’t have time to mess around with facts; we either like something or we don’t, and a first impression tends to keep its grip, even after the evidence comes rolling in. Yet in all things business or professional, or simply as part of a democratic society, albeit bombarded with degraded media, we should do our utmost to remain objective, right? You must see all sides clearly. That is not to say that emotion is the enemy of reason, only that it flavours it heavily, and can play a major part in our personal dogmas.

What we judge to be good or bad, is merely a set of facts and information that we now process through the emotions of our past experience. Without an emotion to drive us, we would most likely be without continual development, whether that be true progress or not. There would simply be no point? So how are we to judge the world, if not by instinctive emotion and how do you retain your objective reasoning in today’s world, while still retaining a passion for what you do.

I come to write this, following a conversation I’ve had often in my career. I’m involved with the wind industry and someone got to asking me the same questions people always ask. ‘What about the noise issue? I’ve heard about this thing called infrasound , ‘and what about this shadow flicker effect?, and I don’t really mind them, but they should be far, far away from where anyone lives’, etc etc. Now these are perfectly reasonable questions, but I know and have a sense for the tone and manner in which they are asked and piled on. The person is seeking evidence to back their emotion. They simply don’t trust wind turbines. Objectivity is long gone. Essentially people feel put-upon by the threat of these massive moving structures on the landscape. It’s really very understandable if you stop to think about it.

Along with the development of wind energy, has been the growth of distrust and fear, and negative emotions. Community engagement was poor to begin with, and still a lot remains to be improved upon. Somewhere along the way, instincts caused someone to dislike a wind turbine and objectivity started to get left behind, further fueled by interest groups with ulterior motives. And that’s not to say all these reasons are untrue or that all fears are unfounded, but to say that they are based on a lot of emotion, that continually builds, and which can no longer be put to bed by facts alone.

If you’ve had a similar conversation within your industry, you’ll know what I mean. Someone that is sceptical, or perhaps more accurately, cynical of your profession, distrusting of doctors, lawyers, politicians. These professions, among many others, have withstood the wrath of emotional objection for decades, and such professionals will argue a general misunderstanding about their true nature. We all hold a grudge for one profession or another. In the age of social media, populism, and how I hate this term, ‘post-truth’, levels of distrust and emotional determination are thriving.

And yet when I listen to my own well repeated responses, I know that my knowledge and understanding, my objectiveness, is clearly tainted somewhat by my passion. I recognise this and possibly this is the first step. I reaffirm to myself that I am objective, but as long as I have the slightest bit of interest or passion for the industry, true objectiveness will always be one step ahead. It really does take a lot of soul searching to realise that there may be some things about which you are not completely truthful, or have misguided yourself and others.

It is with such misguided passions, with which we are driven to develop technology that does not benefit the world, or to invent things that will clearly damage our environment, or people’s health. We make excuses, or perhaps we justify everything with profit if we are so inclined, or perhaps we lie to ourselves willingly, or perhaps we truly believe with all our hearts that what we are doing is right, despite the evidence; blind faith.

We must instead engage with our customers, with the general public, with communities. We must be honest about our failings and about the things we are uncertain. It is a daunting task in any industry. We become exposed. Doctors, please write legibly, and when you don’t know what the diagnosis is, just say so. This is why we don’t trust you. Politicians, please tell the truth, stop trying to play every side. We see through you. Lawyers, please don’t pretend what you do is based on holy morals. You are the most corrupt of them all. Wind farm developers… Well, obviously I can’t go there, but you get the picture. I only pick on the easy targets here, but most professions I think have their detractors.

My point is, all great leaders and contributors of business, of vocation or innovation are passionate, so be passionate, but beware. For when passion rules, your objective and fair self is probably slipping quietly out the back door, and you are gradually losing public support. If you are passionate about what you do, if you believe you are doing good in the world, please stop and think. And every time someone questions your profession, your industry, don’t revert to the well-trodden script, think about it.

Nothing is without impact …. let’s make the right changes, and keep those impacts small.