INSIGHTS CONVERSATION CONTINUED

Like many of you, I enjoy all of Mike's posts. But yesterday's post about insight really struck a cord. Mike, thank you for making me and others reflect on the subject. So here are some of my thoughts on the subject.

Openness and active listening are key tools to enable you to become more insightful.

In Mike's example of his own insight while reviewing the financial analysis of the furniture company, I would argue that his openness and lack of prejudice enabled him to see what others had not observed. There is a professor at Yale, Daylian Cain, that teaches courses based on his research on the mind games involved in decision making. He argues that often when we think we are making objective decisions based on analysis, we do not realize that the analysis we requested often skews the information so much that we get the answer we were looking for, even if subconsciously, and therefore it is not objective.

Active listening or listening to understand is also key to enable us to have insights. This is particularly important when you disagree with the person speaking. If you suspend your opinion and judgement and instead carefully listen with the goal of really understanding their point of view, you get much more from the conversation. It may or may not result in you changing your opinion but it will always add to your understanding and may even lead to an insight. The insights might change your point of view or may provide you with an insight into how to get them to understand your point of view. Either way, it is worth the effort.

Just a few more thoughts on this subject. Let's all keep thinking and sharing.
Until Next Time,
Gail