I’m really not interested in what you think
Opinions. We have many, and we often share them. But in our daily work, those opinions regularly get in the way. For example, the strange situation arises where a scientist is sitting at the table with a singer on a television show, and suddenly the singer’s opinion carries as much weight as the scientist’s expertise.
However, it is totally irrelevant what a singer thinks. Nor is it relevant what I think. What is relevant is what you know. Because experience, knowledge, and facts bring you closer to understanding a problem and finding the best solutions.
In organisations—I see the same phenomenon. With all these opinions, there is a huge desire for consensus—a shared opinion in which everyone agrees.
If you are going to make decisions within organisations, I understand that you want your colleagues’ opinions to be heard. Especially if a decision affects your colleagues and their work. It’s also important to have input from your colleagues because they can see things you don’t. For example, they can make you see that a decision could be harmful to the company. But that harmfulness comes from evidence—from what your colleagues know, not from what they think.
This is the major difference between a consensus model—a shared opinion—and a consent model. In a model of consent, a decision can be made as long as there are no argued objections. You don’t have to agree completely with the decision another person wants to make, and you may even have doubts about it, but if you have no objections, you agree to it.
It is not difficult to leave room for opinions or better ideas without falling into a consensus model. For example, you can ask people on your team to respond to a proposal for change, giving everyone a chance to share what they think and, more importantly, what they know. Then it’s up to you to decide what to do with this. You can disregard the responses or make improvements to your proposal.
Opinions have their place, but decisions should be based on experience, knowledge, and facts that provide insight, not on finding a comfortable compromise.
I don’t care what you think; I care what you know. Whether you can sing or not.
Ready to be Amazed with What VoIP can do for Your Business?
If you’re wondering, “What is VoIP, and how can it benefit my business?” you’re not alone! VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) might sound technical at first, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be amazed at just how essential it is for your business communications.
To help you decide if VoIP is the right fit for your business, we’ve put together some handy resources. Take a look at these links to learn more about VoIP and discover how it can transform the way you communicate:
What is VoIP? – This resource breaks down the basics of VoIP, explaining how it works and why it’s such a game-changer for communication. If you’re new to VoIP, this is a great place to start.
Keeping Your Business Telephone Number – Worried about changing your business phone number while transitioning to VoIP? This page will guide you on how to keep your existing number, ensuring a smooth transition without the hassle of informing every client and partner. Plus, we offer 012, 021, and 087 numbers to help you maintain a professional presence.
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