The Value of an Opposing View

I got to spend some time with the inaugural cohort of doctoral students in the Executive Organization Development and Change Program at BGSU two weekends ago. One of the lines of thought that has been resurfacing since then is: What is the value of those who think different – maybe even the opposite of my views? How do I not only honor opposing views and principles, but value them?

Let me explain: The doctoral students, all accomplished professionals, completed the Hogan MVPI guided by Steve Weingarden. Without knowledge of their individual scores, the group then reviewed their cumulative results. Intriguingly, all but one seemed to score heavily on one side of the spectrum for affiliation, leaving just one colleague to hold up the other end of that spectrum. Very quickly passionate discussion ensued as to that this might mean for the group and for the individuals in it. The point that resonated with me: In some ways, the ‘outlier’ might be the most valuable individual in the group to enable connection and – affiliation. 

We live in a society ripe with groupthink and binary conversations. The research on the subject is ongoing. But there is real value in divergence. What stuck with me – the challenge I issued myself is this: To honor and respect those I disagree with, those whose values or personality might not really mesh with mine. Their insight, to check my assumptions, for example, might just be most valuable!