If I say "the glass is...", what will you reply?
And if I say "An optimist is usually a contemporary who is informed most insufficiently" (John B. Priestley, 1894-1984), what will you reply?
At some point, someone in my LinkedIn network shared the image below, that resonated with me immediately, since in the last years I got used to asserting, again and again, that perception is reality and that almost everything is a matter of perspective.
These nine different possibilities to describe how full a glass of water is, depending on who is looking at it, are not only hilarious but also definitely useful, if we want to better understand how incredibly diverse the opinions about the same situation could be.
Focus is a choice.
And if I say "An optimist is usually a contemporary who is informed most insufficiently" (John B. Priestley, 1894-1984), what will you reply?
At some point, someone in my LinkedIn network shared the image below, that resonated with me immediately, since in the last years I got used to asserting, again and again, that perception is reality and that almost everything is a matter of perspective.
These nine different possibilities to describe how full a glass of water is, depending on who is looking at it, are not only hilarious but also definitely useful, if we want to better understand how incredibly diverse the opinions about the same situation could be.
Focus is a choice.
The runner who is concentrating on how much his left toe hurts will be left in the dust by the runner who is focusing on winning.
Even if the winner's toe hurts just as much.
Hurt, of course, is a matter of perception. Most of what we think about is.
Seth Godin, Depth of field
[How full is your glass of water?
Or to put it better... which kind of type are you then?]
It is the very same glass of water, and yet we are actually looking at nine different scenarios, as a result of nine different ways to perceive, understand, interpret, think about, define, evaluate and react to something.
As someone passionate about diversity and intercultural communication, I tend to consider myself a relativist, a person that is convinced of the importance of being aware of the fact that there is not just one way to think about something.
As someone passionate about diversity and intercultural communication, I tend to consider myself a relativist, a person that is convinced of the importance of being aware of the fact that there is not just one way to think about something.
The next step would be being able to suspend a single-minded way of thinking, to allow uncertainty being part of the picture, to try to put things into perspective, to analyze different possibilities and interpretations for the same situation, to recognize at least two or even more options where most people tend to see only one, and in the end to understand how others can feel and react.
The purpose of a good education is to show you that there are three sides to a two-sided story.
Stanley Fish
To me, it is pivotal to practice cognitive empathy, namely to find a way to relate to something while temporarily putting one's own perspective on the side and adopting the one from the counterpart, in order to better understand and analyze a situation from as many angles as possible and therefore to take the best decision, under certain circumstances.
[Cognitive empathy is NOT the same as affective empathy,
nor is the same as sympathy or compassion:
"I understand how you feel" vs. "I know how you feel"]
Cultivating this kind of attitude is itself a powerful, pragmatic and flexible attitude towards life, situations, and differences. Such way of dealing with conflict, problems, and uncertainty is absolutely enriching and empowering, in my opinion, and yet I am well aware of the fact that it can be perceived as annoying, frustrating and scary by some people.
People that would like to avoid ambiguity, uncertainty, and doubts can be floored while being forced to deal with circumstances and behavioral patterns way outside of their daily routine.
Stretching one's comfort zone is not everybody's cup of tea and we all, as humans, tend to react aggressively, defensively or in a sarcastic way when we have the impression to be attacked, we are overwhelmed, we consider ourselves mistreated or we are temporarily just plain... unable to deal with something or someone in a more productive and clear-headed way.
Stretching one's comfort zone is not everybody's cup of tea and we all, as humans, tend to react aggressively, defensively or in a sarcastic way when we have the impression to be attacked, we are overwhelmed, we consider ourselves mistreated or we are temporarily just plain... unable to deal with something or someone in a more productive and clear-headed way.
There are so many possible scenarios: we act in a stubborn way, we reply sharply, we avoid the problem...
Instead of beating ourselves up when we do it, how about being mindful and, after noticing the pattern, deciding to practice compassion toward ourselves and to "go back to normal" as fast as we can?
To me, a fair deal.
No matter who you are and how you see the glass in front of you, namely your life circumstances, practical situation, loved ones and your daily experiences.
Tags: Different perspectives, Changing perspective, Cognitive empathy, Relativism, Selective perception, Quotes
What to read next:
"When was the last time you wore a very tight short pin-up dress?", or the one about coaching diversity à la "Basic Instinct"
Visiting the blog for the first time? Aloha!
Where to start, if you are new
Instead of beating ourselves up when we do it, how about being mindful and, after noticing the pattern, deciding to practice compassion toward ourselves and to "go back to normal" as fast as we can?
To me, a fair deal.
No matter who you are and how you see the glass in front of you, namely your life circumstances, practical situation, loved ones and your daily experiences.
Tags: Different perspectives, Changing perspective, Cognitive empathy, Relativism, Selective perception, Quotes
What to read next:
"When was the last time you wore a very tight short pin-up dress?", or the one about coaching diversity à la "Basic Instinct"
Visiting the blog for the first time? Aloha!
Where to start, if you are new
