Is it black? Or is it white?
Infinite shades of gray and the entire rainbow of colors are available to address any situation
One of the things I learned in the Navy is that the world isn't just black and white -- it's infinite shades of gray, unless it's the hull of a ship
That's the same shade of gray over and over and over and over...
It’s important to remember that there are more than two perspectives - black or white - when you don't agree with others. They may be seeing the tail of the elephant what you see its front left foot. Everyone in the room may be seeing a different part of the elephant and everyone is right because each person’s unique perspective of the issue is different close in. Zoom out and you see just how big the issue is.
One technique that's helped me open up my thinking in such situations is to ask myself, "What if they are just 10% right?" and "What 10% of this issue do we agree on?" Asking these questions opens up your ability to see other perspectives and build on commonalities.
Just as there are more than one or two perspectives on any issue, there are more than one or two solutions to every problem. There is no rule that any single color must be chosen. Choose any one of the infinite shades of gray. Or get creative and open up your mind to the infinite colors of the rainbow. The number and types of solutions to any issue are limited only by the creativity of the parties involved in addressing it!
THE TAKEAWAY:
Zoom out and take a big picture view
The world is not not black or white, “either this or that.” It is usually some shade of gray and “yes, and.”
Ask yourself, what if the other person is just 10% right? Where do we agree on the issue at hand?
Open yourself up to the infinite possibilities to addressing any issue. You are limited only by your creativity!