perspective ; is it a 6 or is it a 9?

perspective skills are a part of the thinking category in the inner development goals framework. the definition of perspective is “seeking, understanding, and actively utilizing insights from differing perspectives.” i think that's such an interesting aspect of this particular skill—just because we look at things differently than somebody else doesn't automatically make us incorrect.

everybody goes about life from their backgrounds, experiences, beliefs, feelings, knowledge, et cetera. it makes sense to say then that the same scenario could happen to two different people and be understood completely differently by those individuals! so many times we just assume that “this is what happened” but honestly, it's our interpretation of what happened.

i found this to hold even more weight during conflict. it can feel good to argue until everything we stand for wins out. however if the goal is truly understanding the scenario, then listening to others' perspectives could provide information that we were completely unaware of. but that's also not to say that you must accept every single opinion out there. you can be attentive listeners, examine reasoning, and come to the conclusion that they're simply incorrect!

perspectives skills also correlate with humility. if i accept my own perspective to be limited, this allows me to approach situations with curiosity rather than thinking i already know everything. additionally, the ability to empathize can relate since understanding others’ perspectives helps explain why someone feels or thinks differently.

however, while accepting multiple perspectives is important, this does not necessarily imply we should adopt all claims nor abandon our own principles and morals. it simply requires us to critically evaluate our own assumptions and willingness to change our minds once confronted with new ideas and perspectives! (this sounds simple but can be extremely challenging to apply!)

to me, perspective-taking is less about changing my views and opinions and more about ensuring that i’ve explored what i may not have considered yet before deciding on any opinion <3

discussion prompts !!

• has there been an experience where someone’s perspective complicated or altered how you understood a certain situation?
• how do we remain receptive toward opposing viewpoints without adopting them as true?

perspective skills are part of the values taught in the inner development goals course, you can learn more about more such values in the course here.

is it a 6 or is it a 9? i'm on one side and insist it's a 6 because i see it as so, yet you're on the other side and insist it's a 9 because you see it as so. there is no wrong or right in this situation—only perspective and interpretation.

~ thank you!