The prevalence of opinion

We each have an opinion regardless of who we are. It is a simple truth that we make an opinion based on what we see or believe we know. We choose what we believe quickly, often based on what we desire to be true not what we might take the time to learn.

This opinion is then turned into our belief and becomes a foundation from which we begin making other choices and even more opinions. Please note we do this by reflex. We make choices based on our opinions not facts. Now this is normal and very acceptable when we are choosing the food we like or the restaurant we want to eat at. Opinions permeate our everyday. They always have.

But returning to the point, opinions do not have to be based on facts and in many to most cases are not. Our opinions are based on what we believe are facts or simply our desires; what we want to be true. Now this is no big deal unless you are running a company or attempting to offer sage advice.

When managing a branch or leading a meeting opinion is present but where is the truth or at least some facts? Upon what are we basing our opinion? During these imposed isolation days facts have been in short supply so opinion has become the bases of far to many decisions. As leaders we have become cut off from our normal supply of information and shorted on reliable direction.

So upon what are we making our decisions and basing our opinions? If you are anything like me you have been reading and sifting what you hope is truth from the storm of posts in your area of interest and expertise. You sift the facts from the noise hoping to create a picture from the chaotic input you have at you fingertips. And in many cases we are able to “see” a form and develop a direction. Which is then turned into our opinion and serves as a point of reference for further decisions. This is what we do. This is what we are paid to do.

We sift through the silt and seek some foundation to make decisions on. Yes in these days our jobs are harder and the probability of making mistakes are higher. We are told by many what we should believe regardless of any facts but to be honest that is the same as always. Keep up doing your best and may you find that at the end of this you are even better at finding truth in the maelstrom of information that is becoming the new normal.

Be alert as to how you create your opinion it makes a much greater difference than we might at first imagine.

Blessings