“The greatest deception men suffer is from their own opinions.” — Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519) Italian painter, sculptor and inventor
Consider this:
The person with the firmest grip on reality is the one who realizes that he DOESN’T have a firm grip on reality. That his opinions are always limited to the world he’s seen. And that no matter who he is, that world is small. He stands by his opinions, but has no illusions that they’re “right”. His power comes from humility. And he’s always ready to change as he learns and grows.
A few weeks ago, during a discussion on business strategy, two of my clients really locked horns. They each took a position and dug in their heels. Eventually the conversation reached a standstill. To get them back on track I had them switch gears and play devil’s advocate – literally building a case against their own ideas. It allowed them to see the flaws in their positions a little more clearly. And gave them the necessary perspective to compromise on key points.
Try this:
When you reach an impasse with someone:
1. Jot down your position clearly.
2. Take time alone to honestly answer the question – Where could my opinion be wrong?
3. Use your answers as the fodder for a conversation with the other person.
4. Be willing to change your opinion if it’s warranted.
— Doug Sundheim is a leadership consultant, author, and speaker. His book on Smart Risk-Taking is due out in 2012.
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