Do you value opposing opinions
Are there people in your circle who challenges you, and gives unexpected, different voices when you’re set to do something?
Today, the article will be divided into
- brief discussions about recent learning, thoughts on diverse opinions
- communications to readers and preview of next post
Let’s begin with…
This weekend, I checked out an online speech between Anya Cheng and Brian David Johnson. The former is Taiwanese and an Ex-Facebook Product Lead who frequently hosts talks with industry experts, fellow bloggers, authors etc. The latter is the author of the book The Future You.
Link to video: https://fb.watch/6mI9_mpl65/
I didn’t intend to summarize the speech, instead, to jot down takeaways to share with you to provoke writer-reader discussions.
A main concept Brian has introduced is “the future you”, meaning envisioning the you in the future, starting with knowing preliminarily goals, or things that you want. On your path, you may share your goals with people around you, you may want to think about-
- Know the people you need to rule out
In the process of sharing your goals, you will identify people who take up your energy and truthfully does not care about you, your goals - Embrace opposing voices
This is where it gets interesting. It may be difficult to differentiate between people who supports you who also give opposing opinion from people who are just toxic. Though I don’t have a tried method, but maybe it’s in our instinct (leaving this to discuss next time).
On opposing opinions, Brian remarked that he actively searches out those with different backgrounds, be it educational, professional...
I have realized that in my path, I have people with diverse backgrounds, but not necessarily enough with diverse opinions, and between them lie a key difference. Diverse opinions, the latter, is a sure fire way to maintaining curiosity, and we know well how curiosity is important to drive motivations. - Opposing ideas in your head, it will hurt and it’s conflicting, but it’s a good thing that will serve you well.
- Don’t expect to get it right the first time
For example, I know myself that I am constantly adjusting my wheels and direction when running a blog, but it is the executional process and refining those details which bring new discoveries, new people. Your goal may not be concrete, but just as you are draw up a plan you bear in mind to ‘change it as you move through the process’. - Everything we do is about people
Anya also had a refreshing sharing. She said, “a product probably will be more likely to be successful, if you have diverse people who somehow find a way to work together”.
Otherwise a product team who works well (conflict-less) will produce products that serve the same type of customer that is similar (e.g. similar profile) to the product team itself. That is such a powerful example that it is now etched into my mind.
If I think about it, it goes beyond building a team, but just might beautifully describe my journey of writing- which is to find more diverse people who come together to share knowledge and challenge opinions.
From this talk, I’m reminded of initial motivations that brought me to releasing pieces publicly in the first place. Everything we do is about people, and it is because my interest in people’s ideas, or things that made us click, that bring me a sense of fulfillment. Maybe then the values, virtues that I see in others will find a way back to me in full circle.
To readers…
I realized I have not written anything to communicate to my readers, mainly because I’m just starting out. But I don’t want that to be an excuse.
A quick update
I am just on the way to defining a direction for this blog, and here’s hoping to release 1–2 posts bi-weekly, depending on the depth of content.
Next up
Will be my thoughts on business diversification.
I will share about the why, the organization goals, followed by the how, with specific examples that help narrow the scope.
Stay tuned!
