Sometimes we interact with people who think like us.  Sometimes we  need to associate with people who don’t think like we do .  The former encounters are usually more friendly than the latter.

Just because someone does not think like you is neither good nor bad, wrong nor right. Understanding and embracing these differences within the context of your own thoughts and beliefs is a key attibute of effective leadership.

The Wolf Pack

A wolf pack is a simple way to illustrate the concept of thinking the same and thinking differently.  As a general rule wolfs travel in a pack with a clearly identified leader.

The wolves think alike.  Packs are safer and run better with a leader.  However, you have heard of the lone wolf.  This wolf does not think like the others.  Both the pack wolves and lone wolves can thrive and survive.

The group and individual approaches to wolf life are very different but neither is right or wrong.  Although the pack approach may lower some risks ( attack, food shortages) it can impinge on individuality which is embraced by the lone wolf.

All approaches have value

While I would be the first to admit I enjoy the company of those that think like me more than those that don’t (emotionally) on an intellectual level its clear associating with a more diverse range of thinkers is of real value – to me personally, to them and to society.

I might be going a bit overboard with this post but the point really is that opposing views are often neither right nor wrong but rather the result of opposing ways of thinking and there is nothing wrong with that.