/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:

If a graph shows the two dimensions -  cognitive and behavioral - it means that your tendency is to distance yourself from your feelings, particularly in the aspect assessed here. You have a good understanding about it, and are acting upon it, but you might want to further explore your emotions in relation to it. 

YOUR SMI RESPONSES INDICATE THAT you know that it is important to listen to other perspectives, and to find solutions that can accommodate diverse needs, even compromising what is important to one or the other.

/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”.

This is very valuable, particularly in our polarized times. Your behaviors certainly are inspiring others or giving them something to ponder.

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

You are aware that the world is changing and you feel compelled to be more understanding with others’ perspectives. Your choices in the questionnaire indicate that nevertheless, this doesn’t come easy to you and you may feel frustrated or impatient. You seem to have deeply held values and points of view, which are important to you, and it becomes challenging sometimes to moderate your emotions when you have to deal with very different, perhaps unacceptable perspectives.

Welcome to life! You are not alone in the struggle to be understanding and also to feel OK with it. You already have come far in your personal journey, as you have comprehension and are seeking to act on it.

Here is a thought to ponder: Can you think of a small event, a situation, where someone with a different opinion was able to step into your shoes? Not only that, but that that person actually found a way to meet your needs, respect your interests, although it was very different, perhaps opposed to their own needs? How did it make you feel? How did it impact your behavior, your attitude? Did you feel gratitude perhaps? Have you given that feedback to the person?

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 does empathy and inclusion come easier to 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.