A leader clearly understands the difference between a fact and an opinion, and let’s his/her followers know which one they are using when they speak. See the poster Expressing An Opinion for more on this subject.
They teach their followers to also know and overtly express the difference between when they’re speaking facts or expressing opinions.
If this understanding is not in place, healthy dialogue and debate will be stifled. If everything is labeled “facts,” then I will not be able to speak spontaneously in a discussion for fear of being wrong.
In opinions, there is no right or wrong. Two people can look at the same picture with one calling it beautiful and one calling it ugly. These aren’t facts. These are opinions.
Opinions can change. Facts seldom do. Consequently, a leader knows to express most of his/her thoughts and feelings as opinions to avoid the unsustainable position of an “inerrant bearer of facts”-stifling others input for fear of being “wrong.”
As a leader, speak a fact as a fact and an opinion as an opinion. Just be sure you have cleanly defined the difference.
Categories: Listening, Sociability
Magic Club Leadership Resources 