Thinking About Thinking!
Bryan Yager
My passion is helping leaders, teams and organizations achieve results and expand their capacity for growth and success.
First a quote: “What we see depends mainly on what we look for.” ― John Lubbock
Hello and happy Monday!
My starting premise this morning is that most of us do not spend nearly enough time thinking about how, or why, we think what we think. There is plenty of evidence suggesting our brains deceive each of us almost continually. And, not thinking about what, or how we think, is a major problem; not only for us as individuals, but for our personal and professional relationships, and even our country and perhaps the entire world. ?
If you’re seeking wisdom, or to be a more effective leader, this is an important concept.
Today, my focus is on one small but important aspect of how our brains “lie” to us, almost non-stop, during our most crucial conversations. Psychologists call this phenomenon our “Confirmation Bias.”
What is “Confirmation Bias?”
Confirmation bias stems from our innate desire for cognitive consistency and psychological comfort. We tend to seek information that aligns with our existing beliefs, as it validates our worldview and reinforces our sense of self.
When confronted with conflicting information, our minds instinctively search for ways to reject or discount that information to protect our established beliefs. You might even experience this phenomenon while reading this missive.
Why does this concept matter to you?
Confirmation bias can have far-reaching consequences. It distorts our understanding of complex issues, perpetuates misinformation, and fosters divisive attitudes among individuals and groups. It bolsters preconceived notions and reinforces echo chambers, where people surround themselves with like-minded individuals who support their existing beliefs.
In addition to hindering rational decision-making, confirmation bias can lead to poor judgment and flawed conclusions. Biased interpretations of information can affect important areas of life; such as investments, healthcare decisions, and relationships. By neglecting dissenting evidence, we limit our potential for personal growth, hinder innovation, and inhibit constructive dialogue with others.
In a quest for wisdom, how do we get our brains to help us see broader truths of complex situations?
Recognizing and mitigating confirmation bias is essential for intellectual growth and fostering a more inclusive society. Here are a few strategies to combat or minimize these tendencies:
1.???Awareness: Acknowledge that confirmation bias exists and understand its potential impact on your thoughts and actions. Be vigilant about seeking alternative perspectives and challenging your own beliefs. Seek the wisdom of a broader truth.
2.???Utilize Diverse Information Sources: Consume information from a wide range of sources with varying viewpoints. Engage with opinions that differ from your own to expose yourself to new ideas and challenge your preconceptions. By actively seeking out differing opinions, we can develop a more nuanced understanding of complex issues and make better-informed decisions.
3.???Seek Dis-confirmation: Actively search for evidence that contradicts your beliefs. This exercise helps you overcome biases and fosters intellectual humility. Thinking Again author, Adam Grant refers to this as a “scientific approach” to thinking as opposed to that of preachers, prosecutors, and politicians. ?
4.???Expand Our Perspectives: When we limit ourselves to opinions and ideas that align with our existing beliefs, we miss out on opportunities for growth and understanding. Listening to alternative viewpoints broadens our horizons, exposing us to different experiences, values, and knowledge.? This process is how we discover wisdom beyond our own understanding.
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“It is a rare person who wants to hear what he doesn't want to hear.” ― Dick Cavett?
5.???Promoting Empathy and Compassion: Listening to what we don't want to hear helps cultivate empathy and compassion. It allows us to connect with others on a deeper level, even when we disagree with their views.
6.???Strengthening Critical Thinking: Engaging with ideas that challenge our own forces us to think critically. By subjecting our ideas to rigorous scrutiny, we develop a stronger foundation for our own convictions and become more adept at navigating the complexities of the world.
Listening to what we don't want to hear requires courage, humility, and an open mind. It is an active choice to step outside our comfort zone and consider ideas that challenge and/or expand our beliefs.?
By embracing discomfort, we open doors to personal growth, empathy, critical thinking, and meaningful dialogue.
I have always appreciated this “6 vs 9 perspective” cartoon.?While each of us tends to think we know the truth about the world, the truth is, our individual truths are limited by our individual experiences and our perceptions of those experiences.
These perceptions are then magnified by our contribution biases. “Our perspectives may be completely true, just not truly complete.” Even this statement is not a proven truth, it’s just a truth I have come to believe based upon my experiences.?
I just finished reading a great book by Adam Grant on the topic of thinking & rethinking. The book is called: “Think Again, The Power of Knowing What You Don’t Know.” (I have put this book on my “Top Five” must read books for my coaching clients.)?
Intelligence is usually seen as the ability to think and learn, but in a rapidly changing world, there's another set of cognitive skills that might matter more: a willingness to think more about how, and what we think, the ability to rethink, unlearn and learn again.?
Starting this week, let’s all choose to think more intentionally. Let’s seek the broader wisdom our brains work so hard to limit. We can make this a better world if we each do our part.? Today is a good day to start.
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How will you live, love, or lead, differently, or better, this week??
Bryan Yager
“Expanding Your Capacity for Success”
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