Have you ever thought about something for a long time, trying to sort out a solution? When you finally have the answer, you tell someone what you’re thinking, they tilt their head to the side and simply stare at you. Maybe you haven’t experienced this, but I have more often than I care to admit.
We all have a tendency to get in our own heads. There are many times in my career where I have thought about an issue, devised a solution, created flow charts and walked up to a trusted colleague to tell of my grand plan. I open my mouth and immediately realize I have missed a key component to the solution and all my planning became practice. I have to start over. Worst yet, there was a simple solution which took about 30 seconds to discover after opening mouth and inviting someone else into the conversation.
We have all experienced this phenomenon. We get in our heads, overthink the situation, and miss the simple answer. At least, I hope I’m not alone in this.
As individuals and as groups, we can get in our heads. We can spin things around and around until we believe a certain way. That’s the only possible answer to this problem. That is, until we open our mouths to explain our answer to someone of a different mindset.
If we speak only into the echo chambers, we only hear our voice. However, there is a higher way. Let’s get away from group think. Let’s listen to opposing mindsets. Let’s do the difficult task of listening for the other person’s heart rather than listening for an opportunity to interject your side’s talking point.
“Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church.” (Ephesians 4:15 NLT)
DAN TURNER JR. 