Reflective Thinking and Active Listening for a Tribal Era

In our current environment of political and cultural polarity it seems increasingly difficult to discuss contentious issues with a foe or friend. In school, we were often taught that there was one right answer to each question, such as “What is the capital of Nebraska?” But through experiences in the real world, we learn that there can be many right answers to a dilemma or problem. Reflective practice is a form of critical thinking that allows us to consider the different possibilities that exist and then choose a course or direction. It sharpens our capacity to observe and interpret information. Drawing on the work of Peter Senge, Michael Marquardt and others, we will explore the use of reflective practice tools such as the ladder of inference in everyday life to become aware of our mental models—our beliefs and assumptions about the world. We will practice sharing perspectives to better understand each other.