Onwards and Downwards - The Roundie Sharpens Up

Scott Potter • 1 August 2016

Roundie’s can stay on Mount Stupid or can begin a descent. You can help.

Climber, abseiling down the side of a mountain.

This is the second in our Roundie series, following the first post about Intellectual Snobbery.

I was thinking about the Roundies, the people stuck on top of Mount Stupid, and wondered if there were different types of Roundie. We know there are some that simply believe they know more than others . And as such, don't realise that they are on Mount Stupid.

However, are some Roundies unconsciously aware that their strong opinions aren’t underpinned by as much knowledge as they once thought they had?

Becoming aware that you're standing on the mount causes an unnerving feeling in all humans. Some of us then embrace it. Others remain aware but get stuck in some form of denial .

Coming down the enlightened side of Mount Stupid can be a difficult time for some. As a teammate, you can help, you just need to be considered in your approach.

 

Thankfully there is now more awareness of the importance of fostering Psychological Safety in the workplace and how essential it is for teams to become high performing.

 

It’s often discussed as a foundation. But how do you create such an environment? How can you help to foster Psychological Safety for your team?

 

As an individual, can you? Well, undoubtedly there are team-wide, department-wide and company-wide factors at play. But don’t underestimate your ability as an individual to make a positive difference . You can make a significant contribution towards creating a positive, safe working environment.

 

Having the skills to recognise a colleague stuck on top of mount stupid is vital. Equally important is having skills to help them move forwards on their learning journey.

 

Firstly, look for the signs.  You may recognise the signs of a Roundie unable to move off of the mount...unable to move onwards and downwards.

 

  • They get frustrated when their ideas are challenged rather than embrace the questions that come their way.
  • They make statements and assertions more than asking questions.
  • Using arguments to make their point that are akin to Hempel’s Paradox. All Ravens are black, therefore everything that is not black is not a Raven.
    "This apple isn't black!  See... more evidence to support my point that         all ravens are black."
  • They try to justify a point of view that they have just realised not to be correct.

 

Harry Potter

Mutatio Cognitio  - it’s either a spell from Harry Potter or Latin for  change idea.  The team need to provide the safety for people to admit being wrong, to change their idea...to change their mind.


Lend a hand and lead them down from the mount with support and encouragement that they're taking on this challenge.


The ability to Change one's Mind publicly, is an underrated and often overlooked skill, indeed a strength.  Instead of viewing a change of opinion negatively, be positive, own it, show high intellect -  "I now have more information and I have chosen to change my mind"... Mutatio Cognitio.


Often, as people walk up the left side of Mount Stupid, they turn from open minded people to a fixed mindset...maybe not as a whole, but for a given topic. Take their hand (metaphorically) and help them down the enlightened side.

 

Change your mind, walk down the sunny side of the mount, towards the light.

 

Keep the shadow that you cast behind you so your way forward is well lit. Your next step is more important than your previous one.

 

 

Mutatio Cognitio


See Also:

You can find numerous, related resources on our Resource Hub.

 

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