/WHAT IS ASSESSED HERE:

HOW YOU THINK ABOUT AND DEAL WITH AMBIGUITY AND PARADOXES, HOW YOU RECOGNIZE DIVERSITY, FEEL ABOUT IT AND ACT TOWARDS IT.

What this tells you:

This graph shows two dimensions, the behavioral and affective. This means that you connect emotionally with this aspect, and act upon it, perhaps without a full understanding of why it is important. You may find it interesting to deepen your understanding of this principle. 

YOUR SMI RESPONSES INDICATE THAT you are an empathic person.

It comes easy to you to put yourself into another person’s shoes, trying to see life from their point of view. It makes you feel really good when you do so, in a way you feel closer to the other. Not being inclusive may also make you feel guilty, selfish, righteous, or irresponsible. This is your internal compass.

/YOU ARE COMFORTABLE exploring how other people arrive at their opinions and perspectives, puzzling as they may look to you. It is possible that you engage in conversations to understand them. It may almost feel like a “civilized duty”.

/THINK ABOUT HOW YOU CAN FURTHER LEVERAGE YOUR STRENGTHS AND MANAGE SOME OF THE LIMITATIONS WHICH MAY BE HOLDING YOU BACK:

You have a valuable trait, particularly in our sustainability-challenged times, where the solutions to our environmental or social problems have to consider a vast array of interests and needs.

At the same time, you may sense some tension, because it is clear to you that when one starts to be inclusive of other people’s perspectives, we may lose sight of what we hold true and right, thus not fully honoring the responsibility we feel to champion these values. How is it possible to balance honoring our values, what “feels right”, with accepting very opposite positions?

Welcome to life! You are not alone in the struggle. You already have come far in your personal journey, as you can empathize with others, take a glance into their world, and in your actions you try to honor that feeling. What are the boundaries? Which are situations where either-or thinking is appropriate, and when do we need a creative both-and solution?

Here are a few thoughts to ponder. We are living in a complex world. Much of our world’s sustainability challenges originate in choices such as: “either the planet or the economy” and “either protect the wolves or the farmer, either my way or yours, etc.” Yet, either-or choices can be misleading, and have us believe there are win-lose solutions that work. But do they really? If the cost is high, do they still work?

When we find ourselves in a situation where we see it the right way, and others are wrong, what may we be missing that these others are seeing? 

It is wonderful to experience our perspective included by others. Since we cannot control what others think or do, but have control over our own way of thinking, there may be an interesting path worth exploring here.

/THOUGHTS TO PONDER WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE SM:

It seems that today, more than ever, we are collectively being confronted with paradoxes and ambiguity. Increased transparency and access to information from around the world makes us aware of very different ways of thinking, being and acting with which we may not agree or be comfortable.

Challenging as this may be, there is a benefit to it: We are becoming aware of our own worldviews just by realizing that there are other ways of seeing and feeling. This is an evolutionary insight of great value, the foundation for more peaceful societies. In a way, life is prompting us to expand our understanding and our scope of caring, which go hand in hand.

When we understand something, we can begin caring. This is the start of a better world for all.

/HOW ABOUT YOU TRY:

In what areas is inclusive thinking and acting easy for you, and which situations are more challenging? This is your work.

There are multiple daily opportunities to expand your acceptance of differences, in new ways. Any thoughts?

Both+and thinking allows us to understand paradoxes, and calls for creative solutions that are inclusive of all stakeholders.

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