How much can your leadership change the world? What can you do differently to see others as they truly are?
After my TEDx talk where I shared my idea about Black Rock thinking and being more curious, I want to help people have the amazing experience of seeing a black rock and then seeing that it’s not a black rock. It’s a powerful reminder that we can be fooled by our biasses and even our own eyes.
Black Rock Thinking is the bias and prejudices we have that cause us to dismiss someone before understanding them. Black Rock thinking leads us to rush to judgement. Our ego gets involved and convinces us that we are right.
I used this metaphor in my TEDx talk to demonstrate how easily we can be fooled. I also shared the power of what is possible when we are willing to be more curious, and less judgmental.
It’s so obvious that “it’s just a black rock, right?” Or is it?
I shared my ideas about Black Rock thinking at TEDx Katowice – just 20 miles from Auschwitz. Hitler convinced an entire nation that Jews weren’t human and worthless…they are just a black rock, right?
Black Rock Thinking can show up in our politics, in our workplaces and in our families. At times, we even see ourselves as worthless, black rocks. For example, when we compare ourselves to others on social media or believe we aren’t worthy. Am I just a black rock?
It’s just a black rock, right? Until it isn’t.
When you put this black rock on light – like on the flashlight on your phone, it shows up like transparent glass.
It hasn’t changed. How we see it has changed. More curiosity revealed something we didn’t see. We saw light, not black.
As leaders need to be more curious and less judgmental. The antidote to Black Rock Thinking is also a leader superpower – just say “Tell me more” in every conversation…and then listen. This is simple but not easy. You have to care about the other person. You naturally will want to talk and solve problems and give advice. That doesn’t help. Just remember to say “tell me more” and then listen and watch what happens. Watch trust increase. Watch people feel heard and appreciated. What your capacity as a leader grow.
See the light in others, and treat them as if that’s all you see.
Dr. Wayne Dyer
You can get your own FREE black rock and a Leader’s Guide and Powerpoint presentation so you can share this important idea with your team and any audience. Grab your own FREE black rock and share the anecdote to Black Rock Thinking with others.
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