Understand that every world view, including yours and including mine, has limitations. Listen, learn, be humble …be respectful.
The tragic shooting in Tucson has raised the issue of intolerance and acceptance of diverse viewpoints; including but not limited to the provocative and potentially dangerous aspects of name calling and labeling. Unfortunately we have people with very public platforms making a living out of intolerance rather than promoting dialogue and understanding. They often argue that THEIR world view is not only the right way but that it’s the only way.
Cindy Wrigglesworth the Founder and CEO of www.deepchange.com has done some important work on spiritual intelligence. She describes it as follows:
Spiritual Intelligence: “the ability to act with Wisdom and Compassion while maintaining equanimity (inner and outer peace), regardless of the circumstances.”
She and her organization measure 21 attributes that they believe capture progress on the spiritual leadership continuum. Just ONE measurement area of spiritual intelligence is around the notion of world view; the way one sees the world. A well developed mind set regarding this world view, according to the people at Deep Change, is, “Everyone has a world view and that every world view has limitations. This keeps us humble and open to learning. We genuinely value other people’s perspective.”
The RESPECT value as defined in the Character Triangle fully embraces the critical importance of valuing other people’s perspective. The elements of respect as I define it overlap with many of the dimensions that Wrigglesworth and her team believe leads to greater spiritual intelligence.
The workplace is often filled with a my way or the highway perspective. This is especially dangerous when authority is attached to intolerance. Of course there are rules and policies that need following. Chaos and anarchy aren’t very practical. However the ability to really value other people’s perspectives is vital to a respectful and healthy organization culture.
- Action: Take an honest look at where you may not be genuinely valuing another person’s perspective at work. Is there anywhere that you are intolerant? Why? What might you learn if you open up to better understand the other view?
Remember that every world view has its limitations. Be respectful.
Live the Triangle,
Lorne