Are You Judging or Discerning?

LEADERSHIP PRACTICE

To re-frame your thoughts from judging to discerning, seek to understand where others are coming from, and more importantly how they got there. When someone proposes an alternative viewpoint, don’t disagree with them immediately and judge their idea as stupid or wrong.

Instead, ask them questions to better understand where they’re coming from and, where appropriate, dissect their perspective and see if any of their ideas support or enhance your own. Embrace the “And” model, and work a little harder to come up with a solution that encompasses the best of both your answers.

Journal this week to reflect on situations where you or others used, or could have benefited from re-framing your judgments into discernments. Pay attention to how your own judgments impact your relationships and life experiences.