Weekly Nugget: The Superpower of a Paradoxical Mind
Hi friend,
Who is right?
Jesus says, “I AM son of God.”
Muhammad is revealed there is no father and no son; God is one.
Buddha finds no God at all in his search.
Nietzsche famously declares, “God is dead.”
So… who should we follow? This question can lock us into a false necessity of choosing from limited options. Must we pick one view and reject the rest? What if they all might make sense, each shining light on a different aspect of the same ultimate truth? In different contexts, they may make different sense to different people.
Our sense-making is often tied to context, not just facts. That context remains invisible when we rush to decide or prove someone else wrong. We look at facts with contextual eyes.
At work, it is no different:
“We need to cut costs!”
“No, we must invest in innovation!
“Speed is everything!”
“Quality can’t be rushed!”
The ability to hold two (or more) opposing perspectives as simultaneously valid is the key to building a paradoxical mind. Paradox feels contradictory, yet it is an invitation to move beyond “this or that” and embrace “this and that.” When we do this, we gain a deeper, more nuanced understanding of reality, whether in work matters or everyday life.
Consider a work-related example. Adopting a new technology can trigger conflict within a team. One colleague might see the new AI tool as a threat to well-honed processes, while another views it as a breakthrough for creativity. They seem to be at odds, but what if both perspectives hold truth for each individual?
One can honor the value of experience and stability while still welcoming fresh, innovative methods. By listening with curiosity, and truly seeking to understand why someone sees a situation differently, we enrich our grasp of what is possible.
But how do we build a mind that can hold paradoxes?
Suspend your certainties. Begin by acknowledging, “I don’t know everything. What might I be missing?”
Listen deeper. Genuinely explore another person’s perspective. Don’t just say you got it; strive to actually get it.
Allow contradictions to coexist. Recognize that multiple valid perspectives can stand side by side without canceling each other out.
A Call to Practice
This week, notice moments of tension or disagreement at work or at home, and challenge yourself to hold both sides as valid. Ask, “What if we are both valid in different ways?” Let that question open up new avenues of collaboration, insight, and possibility. In doing so, you’ll discover that life is richer and more expansive when you dare to embrace the paradox.
With care,
Saqib