Personal Effectiveness
Open Mindset
"A mind is like a parachute. It doesn't work if it is not open"
- Frank Zappa -
We are constantly forming perceptions of ourselves and others as we encounter each other in our daily interactions. Here is an example: I walk into my own office and I hear a new loud voice. When I turn the corner a person, I have not met yet is standing with my colleagues discussing the weekend activities they have been engaged in.
There are several perceptions I can be forming during this experience depending on my past experiences and preferences.
- I interpret their loudness; to me may mean they are not refined but brash and boasting – why are they taking up so much energy and space in the conversation?
- I interpret their comfort and ease in interacting; this is a confident and assured person, and I am curious to find out who they are
- I was not expected someone new; I may interpret that this person is replacing one of my team members on sick leave and start to wonder how I will find it to interact with them
Depending how I am interpreting this experience will determine my potential actions; do I move into the conversation, walk past, and get to work, ask questions of my colleagues to gather more information to name a few.
And because of this, I may form a perception of myself in the process.
I wish I could be this assured in my interactions, to hold the energy of an audience like them or I am comfortable being quieter and less confident as I would not want to be perceived by others as unrefined and boastful.
HOW TO INCREASE OUR ACCURACY IN PERCEPTIONS
- Recognize cause of misperception
- Look for a variety of clues
- Delay drawing conclusions – process a variety of clues first
- Be aware of own biases
- Avoid mind reading – do not guess about motives, values, attitudes
- Formulate hypothesis – based on observable behaviours, test against existing or additional behaviour
- Recognize diversity – chances are that others are not like you
No one is completely objective or unbiased. Everyone has a particular point of view, or perception of a person, experience, or interaction. As you work, think carefully about your beliefs, assumptions, and potential biases.
- How might these things influence your interpretation?
- How does your point of view affect whether you agree or disagree with a certain argument?
You should try to be objective, looking at multiple points of view, not just those sources that agree with what you already think. However, you should also be aware of your point of view and how it influences your thinking.
Likewise, you should look for the beliefs, assumptions, and biases that influence other points of view. It is challenging to interact with others who do not acknowledge their own biases or the existence of other points of view.
Here are a couple of biases that may be influencing your perceptions:
- Confirmation bias is the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms our prior thoughts and beliefs. People tend to unconsciously select information that supports their views and ignoring information that is not supportive of our views. Watch out for asking a leading question which typically leans towards established biases and assumptions and it is made up of specific information which the individual wishes to confirm. This bias suggests we are not interested in others’ points of view and is a type of question that prompts a respondent towards providing an already-determined answer.
Here are examples of leading questions that are based on assumptions: How well did our services meet your needs? How satisfied are you with our product?
- Wishful thinking is the formation of beliefs based on what might be pleasing to imagine, rather than on the current facts that are being presented. This is a bias which supports us not facing the reality of a situation and denying the evidence.
CRITICAL QUESTIONS
- How am I looking or perceiving this topic or question?
- What are my potential biases?
- What are some other points of view on this issue? Have I considered them?
- Why does this person view the issue in this way?
- What are the others potential biases?
- Can I acknowledge other perspectives?
- What interests are served by adopting this point of view?
Our point of view, considering our biases, our perceptions, and assumptions we take all contribute to our personal belief system. What modern psychology knows is how our belief systems affect personal effectiveness; they influence own abilities and l fuel our behavior and so may predict our success.
One of the most basic beliefs we carry about ourselves has to do with how we view and inhabit what we consider to be our personality and our mindset.
At the heart of an open mindset is that it creates a passion for learning rather than a hunger for approval. Its hallmark is the conviction that human qualities like intelligence and creativity, and even relationship capacities, can be cultivated through effort and deliberate practice. Not only are people with an open mindset not discouraged by failure, but they do not see themselves as failing in those situations — they see themselves as learning.
When we can be aware of our biases and assumptions, we will not act in haste and will be aware our own words and action impact on others. Our ability to be effective will be enhanced when we remain non-judgemental and open to the perspectives of others.
EXAMINING ASSUMPTIONS
An assumption is an unexamined belief: what we think without realizing we think it. Our inferences (also called conclusions) are often based on assumptions that we have not thought about critically. A critical thinker, however, is attentive to these assumptions because they are sometimes incorrect or misguided. Just because we assume something is true does not mean it is.
Think carefully about your assumptions when finding and analyzing information and communicating but also think carefully about the assumptions of others. Are the others’ recommendations or conclusions based on assumptions that she or he has not thought about fully or logically or may not be aware of?
CRITICAL QUESTIONS
- What am I taking for granted?
- Am I assuming something I should not?
- How can I determine whether this assumption is accurate?
- What is this person assuming?
- How can I determine if this person's assumptions are accurate?