When you enter into a conversation with strongly opposing views, how do you stay neutral?
For me, it means I need to suspend what I know and believe during that conversation.
The process of suspension means I hold my assumptions, beliefs and opinions out for examination with a willingness to be influenced.
The critical words above are “willingness to be influenced.”
It doesn’t mean you will or will not be influenced, it means you’ve opened a space for curiosity and openness.
This practice is critical to navigate disagreements, and polarized conversations – which we have many of in our world today.
Are you willing to be influenced?
It’s one of the critical steps necessary to move forward.