Why You Should Be Open to People Changing Your Mind?

Do people change your mind?

This was a question I recently asked myself (mostly because I posed it to someone else and thought it was only fair to answer it myself). My honest answer to this question was that people do change my mind (of course this is more of a recent thing, but it still counts).

Many people believe if you change your mind, either your first opinion was wrong or you are indecisive. The alternaview is that considering contrary opinions and changing your mind is not only a good thing, but also one of the most important character traits we can have and work to continue to develop.

I used to believe I was able to remain firm in my opinion because I had done so much preparation before I expressed it. I literally would think things through from just about every angle and was confident my decision was 100% accurate (you know, the good old belief…the only time I have ever been wrong, was when I thought I was wrong).

I have come to learn though that despite how right a person feels they are, the person on the other side of the argument thinks they are just as right. More importantly, it is actually possible that both people are a little right and it is also possible for someone to present a compelling explanation that would and should cause the other person to change their mind.

So, I posed this same question about people changing your mind to a co-worker who is highly intelligent and analytical. The challenge she continues to run into is when people are just not on her same page for one reason or another. She literally just can’t seem to see the other side or even imagine the possibility that another perspective is the right one. I have seen all types of people with this issue. People who are more aggressive, and even people who have more easy going personalities. It doesn’t necessarily mean the person is terrible or difficult, it just means they have not learned how to effectively change their position when it is appropriate. It can be a subtle issue so you have to be acutely aware of its existence in order to notice it.

If a person holds so tightly to views that no one is ever really able to change their mind, perhaps it is not that they are always right, but rather that they have decided they are never wrong. So, what’s the solution? Instead of approaching situations with a firm decision and a belief you need to defend your point of view, perhaps we should allow all perspectives to be presented, honestly consider all opinions and then determine the appropriate decision. In this scenario, the process ends with making a decision instead of beginning with the decision already being made.

The reality is that it is rare that a person is really 100% right, because often times there will be aspects that are right on both sides. The challenge is to be able to realize this and push yourself to be open minded enough and arrive at a place where the best decision is made…that is the alternaview.

Sign up for the Living Better Bonus Kit

Sign up for FREE and receive all the new articles and FREE Instant Access to the Bonus Kit updated regularly with tools to really help you live TODAY in an Amazing way.