What’s in an Opinion?

Opinions. Everyone has them. Differences in opinion may have dramatic, even fatal, consequences. The recent happenings in Charlottesville in the US attest to this. People feeling so strongly about their opinion it leads to physical violence. But this is just one example of what we see on our news every day because of differing opinions.

What happens when there are differing opinions in your business or team? Do you listen to each others’ point of view and opinion or do you simply disregard it? Fob it off as just so and so going on again. However, our opinions are important to us.

I’ve always found gaining an understanding of the different opinions in a group will lead you to an answer. An answer of what changes and improvements needs to be made. It is the compilation of all the different opinions that provides the common patterns which are occurring.

The key is listening. We don’t have to agree with everyone’s opinion but does it hurt to listen? Some people don’t want to hear an opinion they disagree with in case it shows their opinion is flawed in some way or makes them second guess themselves. It is fear. Hearing and considering another side helps us to evolve and look at the issue, and possibly the person, from another angle. Reading the writings of someone you would normally disagree with also provides this evolution. The other key is to acknowledge you have heard and understood their opinion. It doesn’t mean you have to agree.

The bringing together of different opinions enables better decision making. Making decisions based on one opinion may mean loss of time reworking and spending more money. It is not always possible, or practical, to have every member of a team or business provide their opinion but there are ways to do it. And if you don’t take action based on certain opinions let them know why.

When you include your team in the decision making, they have ownership and commitment to making things happen.

What could your team achieve if they could have their say?