Common Ground. . .
Too often, whether at work or in life, we focus on our differences. It’s easy to fixate on the parts of someone’s argument or beliefs that we disagree with — we don’t even notice all of the parts where we do agree.
When you find common ground with someone, you don’t have to agree on everything. You have overlapping interests or topics of agreement with the other person. But there is still ground you don’t share or agree on.
Here’s an example. Let’s say you’re debating with your peer at work about organizing a retreat for your team. They believe the retreat should focus on leadership skills. You believe it should focus on conflict resolution. But you both agree that the retreat should include mental health awareness. This opinion is the common ground between the two of you. Once you spend a few minutes discussing this area of agreement, you might both be more open to hearing the other’s opinion about the ideas where you differ.
When you focus on what you have in common, you can see eye to eye. This can help you feel more at ease with someone who doesn’t agree with you. You can develop empathy for each other. When you’re able to find common ground, you’ll also be better at making friends and getting along with others. That’s because you’re able to go out of your way to find common interests.
This will help you develop closer bonds with people you know. Reaching common ground helps you go from seeing the other person as someone who is different from you to seeing yourselves as a unified “us.” You don’t have to agree with everyone. But finding common ground makes you more agreeable.
Seeking common ground is good exercise for developing your most human capabilities, too. Looking for common ground helps you practice empathy, imagination, and even creativity. It requires listening and setting intentions. It also helps you stay open to possibility and see the world in a more forgiving light.
Peace and Love, Jim
#commonground #thedailybuddha
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