"Learn from everyone in the room; the best solutions come to light when we listen to new perspectives and let different ideas challenge our own."
- Donna Williamson
- Donna Williamson
Imagine walking into a room filled with varied viewpoints and fresh ideas. This type of environment is where the best solutions are determined—where growth and insight flourish as ideas meet and challenge each other. Instead of viewing disagreements as obstacles, see them as windows of opportunity to hear new perspectives and refine your own. I get rejuvenated when I have the opportunity to learn from people who think independently and aren’t afraid to question my ideas respectfully!
My best ideas usually come from engaging with people who bring their unique perspectives, even when they challenge me. These situations have generally led to a good idea or plan becoming a great one! Building a team of independent thinkers was intentional on my part, and it taught me to approach every interaction with genuine curiosity and an open mind. I now see each conversation not as an opportunity to persuade but as a chance to listen, understand, and grow. Always be on the lookout for nuggets you can use to improve your thinking and find the best solutions.
My best ideas usually come from engaging with people who bring their unique perspectives, even when they challenge me. These situations have generally led to a good idea or plan becoming a great one! Building a team of independent thinkers was intentional on my part, and it taught me to approach every interaction with genuine curiosity and an open mind. I now see each conversation not as an opportunity to persuade but as a chance to listen, understand, and grow. Always be on the lookout for nuggets you can use to improve your thinking and find the best solutions.
In a world of diverse perspectives, it's natural to feel a bit defensive when we encounter opposing ideas. But those are the moments that push us to dig deeper and make our solutions even better. If, like me, you were always the first to raise your hand in class or later rushed to share your thoughts, try holding back sometimes. Let the ideas of others flow and ask questions. You’ve done your research to form your ideas and perspectives, so you have a solid foundation. However, you may hear something from another person’s experiences that you haven’t thought about before.
Appreciate this collective wisdom as you share your thoughts. Acknowledging the merits of others’ ideas demonstrates you are actively listening and promotes clarity, reducing the risk of misunderstandings. To continue the open flow of ideas, use functional phrases such as “in my experience,” “my concerns are,” or “in my opinion” before stating an opposing point of view.
Progress isn't measured by always being right but by being open to new ideas and being willing to modify our thoughts if it makes them better or clearer. To listen to opposing views doesn’t mean that you are compromising your values or that you will automatically change your view. However, as leaders, we're ultimately responsible for our teams' success and our departments' work. In the end, the best solutions come from leaders who listen openly, embrace diverse perspectives, and constantly seek ways to learn and grow alongside their teams and from their colleagues.
Appreciate this collective wisdom as you share your thoughts. Acknowledging the merits of others’ ideas demonstrates you are actively listening and promotes clarity, reducing the risk of misunderstandings. To continue the open flow of ideas, use functional phrases such as “in my experience,” “my concerns are,” or “in my opinion” before stating an opposing point of view.
Progress isn't measured by always being right but by being open to new ideas and being willing to modify our thoughts if it makes them better or clearer. To listen to opposing views doesn’t mean that you are compromising your values or that you will automatically change your view. However, as leaders, we're ultimately responsible for our teams' success and our departments' work. In the end, the best solutions come from leaders who listen openly, embrace diverse perspectives, and constantly seek ways to learn and grow alongside their teams and from their colleagues.
What can you learn, or have you learned from your team’s experiences or from a conversation with colleagues that improved your leadership?
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