Diversity of opinions, how far do we want to go?

Throughout this week, activities and happenings in Ghana can just be summarized into “Diversity of opinions”. To me diversity of opinions is important in every endeavour since it contributes to innovation and I am all for innovation in every facet of human life. The challenge is tolerance for diversity of opinions especially if it seems to go against some people or somebody.

If we accept that all should learn to tolerate each other, why then do we attack each other all the time when we feel somebody’s opinion expressed was not acceptable. As the saying goes, “Abaa ye de bo takyi no, ye de be bo baa”. It’s really sad that some people wants their opinion to be respected but do not want to respect other opinions just because it is opposite what they expressed.

Who even determines that an opinion is good or not good? Is it the person who expressed it or the person or people expressed to or maybe others around each side of the divide? I guess that will be hard to judge right! Because all the aforementioned have their own interest so how do we measure them with the same rod? I am not sure that will be possible.

I just felt like sharing this advice with my people because sometimes in our attempt to justify issues, we lose the value in the arguments and the essence of the opinion. I feel that sometimes we are too quick to jump into supporting or attacking one opinion to another with too many emotions especially if it hints of a slight political colouration.

Here is my advice…

Diversity of opinions: Someone who criticizes you is probably doing so as a way to explore his own weaknesses. Someone who praises you is likely praising something in herself that she recognizes in you.

Just because another person disagrees with you, doesn’t mean that person hates you. It means you are fortunate to live in a world where a diversity of opinions can coexist.

Pay attention to the opinions of others, but don’t let them consume you or knock you off track. Choose your actions not to impress or to please, but to create the value you’ve chosen to create, and to express the perspective you wish to express.

You can learn much from what others say about you. But you’ll go crazy if you try to take every suggestion and answer every objection.

Be understanding and considerate while also being your own person. Be aware and involved in the outer world while also being driven by your own unique, internal dreams and values.

Be thankful, not offended, that other people in this world are not exactly like you. And allow your own perspective to be made richer by all the different people you encounter.

Disagreement: When you disagree with someone, one of the best things you can do is to listen. It sounds so simple, and yet it is so often overlooked. Instead of lecturing, listen. Rather than arguing, listen and seek to understand.

It’s natural to want to explain your own point of view. And the best way to equip yourself to do that, is to understand the other person’s point of view.

You can listen respectfully and still disagree. You can understand completely and still not give in. And yet when you do listen, and when you do make the effort to understand, you improve the situation immensely.

When you win an argument, you have won nothing except the other person’s resentment. When you resolve the argument through genuine mutual understanding, even though you may continue to disagree you have earned respect and cooperation. That way, everyone wins something of real value.

Even disagreements can be a way to move positively forward, when you have the strength and the confidence to truly listen and understand.

Finally ….

I know even with this opinion that I have expressed, some people will still disagree with me or think of something completely of my radial but hey! I respect your opinion too.