The relationship between the required reading for the Psychology and Life course and the day-to-day of my vocation isn't always as easy for me to recognize. However, every once in a while something breaks through for me. Tonight was one of those times. Near the end of Chapter 2 of the textbook, (pictured here), the authors offer the reader some advice on how to be a "more sophisticated shopper" as we "travel through the supermarket of knowledge". Granted, not the most exciting metaphor ever, but it is a textbook. However, while taking notes it occurred to me that these aren't bad leader-tips for any situation requiring wisdom, (have any of those?).
Just in case they will help you in you leadership role, I offer them here. Besides, typing them will help me remember them for the test.
1. Avoid the inference that correlation is causation. Just because there is a connection between two things, doesn't necessarily mean one causes the other.
2. Ask that critical terms and key concepts be defined operationally so that there can be consensus about their meanings. It's critical we are all talking about the same things when it comes to being missional.
3. Consider first how to disprove a theory, hypothesis, or belief before seeking confirming evidence, which is easy to find when you're looking for a justification. Let's not just be company men & women, spouting the "party line" and doing the things we've always done in the ways we've always done them.
4. Always search for alternative explanations to the obvious ones proposed, especially when the explanations benefit the proposer. Let's not be too quick to agree on the first suggestion or solution offered from the first person offering one. Additionally, let's be aware of the possibility that our own motives and our own ideas might be suspect.
5. Recognize how personal biases can distort perceptions of reality. This recognition will be especially helpful when we are dealing with the people we lead and serve.
6. Be suspicious of simple answers to complex questions or single causes and cures for complex effects and problems. However, sometimes a squeaky door just needs some oil.
7. Question any statement about the effectiveness of some treatment, intervention, or product by finding the comparative basis for the effect: compared to what? I don't fully understand this one yet, but I know it has something to do with Corps & Divisional stats.
8. Be open-minded yet skeptical: Recognize that most conclusions are tentative and not certain; seek new evidence that decreases your uncertainty while keeping yourself open to change and revision. WOW! Authentic. Innovative. Missional.
9. Challenge authority that uses personal opinion in place of evidence for conclusions and is not open to constructive criticism. Our movement needs more leaders who don't claim to have all the answers and who are open to constructive criticism. Are you one? Am I? By the way, "challenge" does not mean "disrespect" or "rebel against".
Take care, trust God, & Have fun!
-rob
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