It is so easy to get trapped in to believing our own thoughts, perspectives and truth. Isn’t it?
I was thinking about this in relation to cross cultural understanding. As I prepared for my trip to China, to interestingly ‘help the Chinese work more effectively with the Italians’.
We can so easily delude ourselves in believing our way of thinking and doing is the right way. The only way. An approach, which at the minimum, stunts growth and limits our opportunities for understanding and learning. And at worst is offensive and dangerous.
It not only happens when we come face-to-face with a different culture, but inevitably happens in our own day-to-day interactions and conversations. When we stick adamantly to our truth and fail to acknowledge let alone consider that another, or several other views equally valid and truthful can exist.
This snappy TED clip from Derek Sivers reminds us that…the opposite can also be true…
Photo by Andrew Shiau on Unsplash
here's to turning things on their heads!
Great TED clip, which Si loved too (we're working opposite each other) – particularly the different versions of 'the empty spaces in between' & paying Chinese doctors only when you're healthy – now there's a radical concept!!