The Principles of Successful People #9
Always consider alternative viewpoints to your own. Remember to question the origin of your viewpoints and if it’s based in logic or emotion.
Alternative - A possible or remaining choice or course.
Viewpoints - An attitude of mind.
Question - A matter of some uncertainty or difficulty.
Origin - Something from which anything arises or is derived.
Logic - A particular method of reasoning.
Emotion - An affective state of consciousness.
Part of empathy is looking outside of ourselves. It’s easy to exist inside our own heads, and consider how external stimuli would affect us. It’s more difficult to consider how others could be thinking or feeling. If you put yourself in the shoes of another, and attempt to understand how they would be affected by the world, we deepen our understanding of them and thus strengthen our relationships.
Beyond strengthening relationships, considering alternative viewpoints can also be how we stress test our beliefs and cover for potential blind spots and knowledge gaps. When exposed to a view that differs from your own, it can either solidify your existing belief or lead to shifts in your understanding. Both are good things, and over time, as we gain new experiences in life, this can be how we continually develop and grow.
This habit can improve decision-making by ensuring we don’t commit to a singular, flawed perspective. In our complex world that is constantly changing, possessing the ability to see the other side of the coin is a powerful tool. However, be aware that constantly questioning ones beliefs could contribute to a lack of decision-making. While it’s important to be open-minded to alternative points of view, we must maintain confidence and ensure our decisions are supported by action.
Finally, remember that not all viewpoints are of equal validity. We also have to assess the level of accuracy of alternative viewpoints. Misinformation can lead us astray, and so locating which viewpoints are out there to mislead us is yet another skill in itself.