Written by Kristin Harrington
The country is still processing the impact of one of the most charged elections in its history. After years of working well together, I’ve heard of colleagues who discovered they supported different candidates—sending their relationships into turmoil. If your side won, you might be holding back feelings of triumph; if your side lost, you could be struggling with disappointment and grief.
In times of challenge and uncertainty, I look for wisdom in leadership concepts. One of my favorites is vertical development, which focuses on expanding our capacity to see and understand the world through diverse perspectives. Vertical development has three core conditions, but the one most relevant to today’s climate is Colliding Perspectives.
Colliding Perspectives occur when a leader engages with people of differing worldviews, backgrounds, and beliefs. This exposure challenges established mental models and expands the leader’s viewpoint. Now, more than ever might be the right time to embrace this approach and welcome differing perspectives.
I’ll admit, this isn’t always easy. I hold my own strong beliefs, and the idea of actively seeking opposing views can feel uncomfortable and outright off-putting. But I also recognize that healing requires working through discomfort, and if we are to come together as a nation, we must be willing to confront our differences.
Here are three ways to embrace colliding perspectives in the coming days, with the goal of rebuilding toward a stronger, more unified community:
Listen with curiosity: Make an intentional effort to listen actively and openly, especially to people with views different from your own. Approach conversations with a mindset of curiosity rather than judgment. Ask questions to understand their experiences and reasoning and resist the urge to formulate a response while they’re speaking. This practice not only broadens your understanding but can also build mutual respect, even in disagreement.
Engage in constructive dialogue: When discussing sensitive topics, prioritize respectful and thoughtful communication. Frame your responses around your experiences and perspectives rather than focusing on convincing the other person. Acknowledge where you can understand their viewpoint, even if you disagree. Constructive dialogue encourages both parties to feel seen and valued, setting the stage for a more meaningful exchange.
Challenge your assumptions: Take time to reflect on your beliefs and ask yourself why you hold them. Consider reading articles or listening to speakers from varied backgrounds to widen your perspective. By purposefully challenging your assumptions, you increase your ability to see multiple sides of an issue, strengthening your resilience and adaptability as a leader.
Honestly, I know I’ll struggle with taking these action steps myself. But in putting this out to our Lead Star community, I’m hoping to find the accountability to take one or more of these steps. I am convinced that healing and progress will require each of us to push our thinking and engage with one another more deeply. Together, we can create a culture of understanding that moves us forward, one conversation at a time.
