When I want your opinion…

Posted on Friday, February 12th, 2010 at 2:12 pm by Gary Winters

When I want your opinion…

I want YOUR opinion.

Not my opinion restated in different words.

Not your “safe” opinion that may not directly contradict my opinion, but nonetheless is designed to avoid any conflict between the two of us.

Not the opinion you think I want to hear.

Not the opinion you think I had better adapt as my opinion because, after all, I asked.

I want YOUR opinion.

I want it because I want to think out loud. Because I want to know if there are different ways of looking at the issue. Because I want to gauge your understanding. Because I value your input.

I want YOUR opinion.

Not because I want to steal your ideas.

Not because I can’t make up my own mind.

Not because I want to make you look foolish.

I want YOUR opinion.

I want it to sharpen the issue. I want it to clarify assumptions – mine and yours. I want it because I want to discover alternatives, if there are any. I want it so I can move the problem-solving forward.

I want YOUR opinion.

Not because I’m supposed to ask for the opinions of others.

Not because I was told to practice “participative leadership” or “employee involvement.”

Not because I think you’re smarter than me.