Understanding Doesn't Require Agreement

One reason leaders avoid asking questions is that they're afraid they'll have to agree with the answer.

Fortunately, you don't have to.

Understanding someone's perspective doesn't require agreeing with it. It simply gives you information you didn't have before.

Sometimes you'll uncover a blind spot. Sometimes you'll better understand why someone disagrees with a decision. And sometimes you'll realize your original thinking was exactly right.

Leadership still requires judgment. Your job isn't to agree with every perspective. It's to understand enough perspectives to make the best decision you can.

The goal of seeking understanding isn't consensus. It's making better decisions because you have a more complete picture.