Changing the Perspective of Congress
Learning a New Point of View
We all have certain points of view and opinions on various topics. From politics to religion to neighborhood issues and the economy we tend to develop strong perspectives that often reflect our cultural beliefs and experiences. However, regardless of how strong we believe in certain views it is essential that we remain open to learning new things and benefiting from new ideas and even accepting another way of looking at an old problem. As we grow older being flexible in our ability to listen to other views and seeing things in a different way becomes increasingly difficult as some of us become set in our ways. And, there are various cultural influences that do more to lock in certain views than to keep us open to learning and greater acceptance of others and their ideas. Yet, real problem solving requires that we keep ourselves open to new ideas and different ways of looking at issues so we are able to build on each other’s ideas and interact in a deeper more meaningful way. Collaborative high synergy groups have this ability to keep us open and listening to other views, enable us to accept others more and find ways to make each other better. So, in a very real sense collaborative learning groups help us to overcome a significant learning disability that prevents people from seeing things in new ways and growing as whole learners and leaders.
Even our culture or our identities from experience that help us know who we are can work against us when it comes to being open and accepting of other points of view. I have had the opportunity to live and work in a foreign country for several years and it was one of the most transformative experiences of my life not only because of what I learned about a foreign country. It was transformative because it helped me to develop a different and more open view of my own country, our culture, our democracy and our way of life. And, many other Americans that I met who had the same opportunity to live and learn in a foreign country all stated that their views had changed as they became more open and accepting of other cultures and people.
With these types of experiences in mind that are so necessary for learning, collaborating and opening ourselves to new ideas and possibilities, it is a sad fact that many of our members of Congress have not had the same opportunities to overcome their learning disabilities and as a result are so locked into one dimensional thinking that agreements cannot be reached on some of the most significant issues regarding the economy and the future of America. And, it is clear that they did not even learn how to listen to other points of view as critical thinkers and collaborators in college or they would be better leaders in Congress today. When Majority leader Boehner can say flatly that there will be no agreement to raise taxes on the rich when all of the evidence and economic advice shows that it will help to reduce the deficit, balance the budget and stimulate the economy, it is clear that Mr. Boehner and many of his republican colleagues have a type of learning disability that keeps them from looking at the evidence as well as even consider a more neutral position.
This is catastrophic for America to have such people in leadership positions who are unable to see anything but their own political benefit even at the expense of most of the American people. Maybe if we could send all of them to live in Afghanistan for a year they would have a different view of America as well as the fallacy of wasting billions on an occupational force with no hope of changing the Afghan way of life. And, most importantly maybe they would become better collaborative leaders and learners who can work through problems for the good of the American people. In any case, we need to do something soon to get Congress off of dead center and to start showing a willingness to collaborate and work with others in good faith for America. And, if they fail to hear the voices of sensible Americans now in order to advance an agreement on the Budget and raising the Debt Ceiling, we need to vote them out of office in the next election, especially those who showed no openness and no flexibility, and no ability to consider other options for the good of the American people.
Copyright 2011, Global Leadership Resources
