Yes, I agree, Jeff, and I think you need this viewpoint to create balance and a healthy perspective.
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Are you a “Contrarian”?
by Jeffrey Nyeboer
This is an interesting question in the mind of a critical thinker and also to anyone involved in strategy. I often get told I’m a contrarian (Jonathan?). So be it. Of course, I might be inclined to disagree 😉
However, I tend to listen to contrarians more often than not. How often have you sat in a meeting where everyone agrees and suggest that you might not be a good “team player” if you have a different opinion? A contrarian (or critical thinker/strategist) will think about where there may be faults in the reasoning or logic within a group. This is not about proving others wrong…it is about looking for and mitigating risks in order to be successful.
I’ve found value in looking at the things others are not looking at:
1. An accident on the road. While everyone is looking at the gory details, I’m focused on the road…usually to avoid those not paying attention. However, this is actually a proven strategy in auto racing. When an accident occurs experienced drivers will aim to drive to the exact point where the accident occurred. Because of speed and momentum there is a very good chance that the cars involved are no longer at the point of impact and they will have a clear path through the accident. Inexperienced drivers try to aim away from the impact point.
2. When working in teams, I’m more concerned about what members don’t know or where they lack skills as opposed to what they do know and where they are skilled. I trust they know what to do. I worry about where we are potentially “weak”. My job is to think about the things that they have not thought about or find ways to ensure the teams “weaknesses” are addressed…for their success and mine.
Finally, if 99 people choose to look left and you choose to look right, have you really missed anything? You now have 99 people who can tell you about what’s on the left. They now have only one person to tell them what happened on the right.
Of course, you are welcome to disagree.
Jeffrey Nyeboer | 2014/04/28 at 14:47 | Categories: Critical Thinking, Leadership, Logic | URL: https://wp.me/p4rKbf-2f
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