In science or math a hypothesis is tested through study and experimentation.  The entire point of the process is to gather more information and then adjust the initial opinion based on the new information gathered, or to reject the null and accept the alternative hypothesis without adjusting the initial opinion.  Many of us haven’t considered this since covering it in our school years, and long-lost are the days of gathering , it was The Bubble and Franklin College for me,   and just bantering away on an academic topic or topic of personal passion.  We seem to get into jobs and not only forget how to do it, but also forget how much better things are when everyone is allowed to weigh in and no one’s information is discounted as  wrong/out of line/not what we do here/not what our customer wants from inception.

Why not take a step back from the battles or boredom of the job and try seeking information about what you’re holding as theorem when it’s really hypothesis.   It’s theorem to you because you’re passionate about it, but you can still have passion for a hypothesis if you recognize examination allows for strengthening or strengthening via adaptation.  If something is failing or running off track and you can’t figure out how to fix it, you’ve probably not landed on what is actually “wrong” yet.

If you adapt or re-frame your thinking and embrace opinions as hypothesis rather than extensions of the opinion holder, especially when the opinion holder is you, then it becomes a lot easier to effectively collaborate and produce desired and appropriate results which are sustainable, rather than simply extinguish fires and hope something else isn’t flaring up while your attention is turned.  I try to operate as much as possible in this space and it is not easy at first, but the more I practice it in a purposeful manner and an attitude of joyful service the better I get.

The added benefit to always being open to receiving new information and adapting is the amazing people and points of view you get to encounter along the way.  Try it the next time you have to collaborate and let me know how it went.  If you’ve been on this path for a while I’d love to hear your stories.

Best,

Laura