/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 that your approach to the assessed topic is both cognitive and affective, but you are not necessarily translating what you know and feel into actions. You might use this information to explore new habits and daily changes for a sustainability purpose. 

YOUR SMI RESPONSES INDICATE THAT you are an empathic person who knows how important it is to listen to other perspectives, and to find solutions that can accommodate diverse needs.

Not being inclusive may also make you feel guilty, selfish, righteous, or irresponsible. This is your internal compass!

At the same time, you are a pragmatic person that likes clarity in life. You are most comfortable with clear choices - black and white options - and find a sense of stability and reassurance in holding onto your values and your worldview. When faced with a new situation, you seek to rapidly frame it within what you have learned is “right” or “wrong.”

This may be useful for avoiding gray areas, although it may also create a tension: is it possible to balance honoring your values, what “feels right”, with accepting very opposite positions?

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

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 and take a glance into their world.

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

You have a very valuable characteristic, particularly in our sustainability-challenged times, where the solutions to our environmental or social problems have to be found considering a wide array of interests and needs.

/THOUGHTS TO PONDER WHEN YOU CONSIDER THE SM:

Many 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.” 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? How could we all benefit from having a fuller picture?

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.

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.

/HOW ABOUT YOU TRY:

Which are situations where either-or thinking is appropriate, and when do we need a creative both-and solution?

There are multiple daily opportunities to convert your natural empathy into inclusive behaviors. Any thoughts?

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