Belief is an integral part of being human, to accept some ideas as true. What we believe makes us what we are.
There are upsides and downsides to belief however.
The downsides have nothing to do with the spiritual or religious or political or social beliefs that you have.
They come when your beliefs stop you thinking, or listening to a different viewpoint.
When you believe you don’t have anything to learn you stop learning.
When you believe you know enough.
The psychologists call this trait openness.
Openness is, at its core, willingness to see or listen to multiple viewpoints.
Openness is an important trait for leadership, so it’s worth cultivating in your personal life. In your self.
The challenge for people who aren’t open minded is they usually don’t realize it. They’re just convinced they’re right about things. Or that others are wrong.
This couldn’t possibly be you, could it?
Here’s a quick test.
When were you last convinced to change your mind on an important issue? Are so smart you never have to debate anything?
How do you feel when someone challenges your ideas? Not someone senior to you, but someone in your team, or outside your circle of trust?
Do you know anyone who challenges your ideas?
Do you seek different opinions or seek confirmation?
How do you use social media? Do you include opposing or uncomfortable views in your social media feed, or do you block them? How many people do you follow who you don’t agree with? If the answer is none, maybe you’re not as open as you think.
“..when you believe you don’t have anything to learn you stop learning..”
The good news is that improving your openness is easy. You just need to listen.
Not just saying so but actually listening. Putting yourself where you will be challenged.
Defending your point if needed, but also listening to the other side.
Add some different views to your social media feed.
There’s an important practical reason why effective democracies have parliaments that meet and debate issues. Good parliamentary systems force both sides to listen to the other and shape outcomes before voting. Better results ensue.
Dictatorships fail because they don’t have to listen and their parliaments are rubber stamps. They put their leaders’ egos ahead of outcomes.
Refusing to consider adopting a different religious or political belief is maybe understandable and certainly common.
Refusing to consider a different approach to solving a problem is a refusal to learn. Sadly it’s also too common.
Listening more to others requires you to listen less to your own ego. That can be hard for some..
Build your self by practicing active listening and being open to opposing ideas.
It will help you on your journey from uncertainty to wisdom.
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“I might be wrong, but at least I’ve thought about it…”