PUT YOURSELF IN OTHER’S SHOES BEFORE JUDGING SOMEONE

SYED MAHMOOD NAQVI Vice President | MB Enterprises

There's a judgmental mindset these days because everybody holds an opinion. What needs to be realized is whether you need to be judgmental about something. Why do you need to be judgmental? Most people are judgmental for no good reason or for things outside their jurisdiction. Many hold an opinion regarding their country's political system but don't have any link to politics or law.

In one-to-one relationships, such as a friend being judgmental of another friend or colleague, you need to take very specific steps. Before making a judgment, be careful and put yourself in the shoes of others.

HOW TO PUT YOURSELF IN THE SHOES OF OTHERS?

A smile doesn't cost a penny. It increases your face value. Just give a smile before you make a judgment on someone. Think first-hand what you would do if you were in their position. If you are making a judgment about somebody, analyze their situation as if you were in their shoes. What would your reaction be if something like this happened to you? Someone you think is guilty might not be that guilty, or their level of guilt might be less than you originally thought.

Make it a common practice so your habit of thinking negatively about someone is reduced over time.

THINK POSITIVELY:

Thinking positively will change your overall thinking paradigm. As the first nature of your personality, you will put yourself in the shoes of others. Your positive judgments will protect you from negative thinking. Passing judgment is an ironic thing and is easy to do. However, you need to take the tougher route to success. That can happen when you put yourself in their place.

NEVER PASS JUDGMENT UNLESS YOU ARE 100% SURE:

Just be a good sport and play like professionals. Only judge someone's character, role, or authority if you are 100% sure and in a position to pass judgment.

Like in cricket, the umpire might raise his finger when the ball hits the pad. However, the batter still has the chance to ask the third umpire for an instant review. When they see a review, the batter is found safe as the ball has hit the bat first. Apply the same thing in real-life scenarios. Don't raise your finger straightaway before making a judgment. Look closely at the scenario before pointing the wrong finger. An unlikely scenario is always something that needs pondering in the long run. However, an unlikely scenario should always be given the "benefit of the doubt." Applying the same business formula and your approach will always yield the most positive results.

HAVING AN OPINION IS HEALTHY:

Having an opinion on something is healthy, as the opinion can be either good or bad. Being over-judgmental is never healthy. It needs to be balanced to make you think critically while making opinions and judgments for individuals.

Healthy opinions always count for the success of both parties. That is, one is opinion-oriented, and one is someone who receives feedback.

At the same time, while having a healthy opinion, put yourself in the shoes of others. You don't want to make a mistake while making a judgement that can be false or based on certain false assumptions. Some- thing which is, in most cases, i.e. 30%-40% true & also found commonly in the corporate & business world. It is certainly a world filled with false assumptions & what counts is how you need to minimize the external factors while making judgements.

THE BEST THING IS TO TAKE SOME TIME:

Taking time before judging is an essential practice in any aspect of life, whether personal or professional. Rushing to a conclusion can often lead to misunderstanding, conflict, and strained relationships. It is crucial to take a step back, analyze the situation, and empathize with the other person's perspective.

One of the most significant benefits of taking time before making a judgement, is that it allows you to consider all the pros and cons of the situation. By doing this, you can make a more informed decision based on facts rather than assumptions. It's easy to jump to conclusions and make snap judgements, but our information is often incomplete, and our perception is limited. You can gather all the necessary information to make an informed and accurate decision by taking time.

In addition to analyzing the situation, taking time allows you to consider the circumstances and situations the other person might have encountered. Putting yourself in someone else's shoes can be challenging, especially if you haven't experienced what they have. By taking time, you can take a step back, see things from their perspective, and develop empathy towards them. This helps you better understand their actions and make more informed judgements.

It's also essential to consider that everyone has different personalities and calibres. It is easy to pass judgment on someone without considering their background, culture, or life experiences. Taking time before making a judgement allows you to assess the situation holistically and judge based on facts rather than biases or preconceived notions.

Asking yourself how you would react to a similar situation is another way to put yourself in someone else's shoes. It helps you develop empathy and better understand the other person's perspective. By doing this, you can make a more informed judgement that considers the other person's feelings and emotions.

In conclusion, taking time before judging is crucial in today's fast-paced world. Rushing to conclusions can often lead to misunderstandings, conflict, and strained relationships. By taking a step back, analyzing the situation, and empathizing with the other person, you can make more informed and accurate decisions considering all aspects of the situation. So next time, before judging, remember to take time, analyze the situation, and consider the other person's perspective.