Confusion to Clarity

Have you ever been scrolling your feed, listening to a friend or what to shout out "EXACTLY!" during a presentation?

That happened to me earlier as I saw a post on Twitter, and some how I found the quote that I had save quite some time ago (synchronicity, who knew).

There is a lot of confusion in the world. In almost every area we interact, there is a gap in perspective, understanding or breadth. We have expectations that the other party should be the one explaining, and breaking it down, surely it is their reason why we don't understand.

This can be the answer. Sometimes it is for the other person or party to explain. They need to build out their idea, their solution, their value proposition.

Here's the challenge however.

What is on you?

If you are not looking to see things completely with other eyes, if you are not willing to let go of what you hold onto, it is often extremely difficult for someone to explain an opposing thought or position to you because they will constantly be running into your mental models.

The exercise is this.

Be the other side. Completely.

What does it seem like they want. What would you need in a particular context. How do you think like them.

Oddly enough, this is the whole premise of method acting. Working to get yourself into another character by being that character. You give up on everything that is you, to build the perceptions of someone else.

I am by no means great at this, and I have no doubt the most novice actor can leverage a better spectrum. I can say however, that I am constantly working to develop this skill. The more effort I put into it, the more I understand those around me.

Take in everything. The words. The repetition. The questions. The looks. The body language. Everything gives you something to help you understand.

Comments

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