Pushing for our preferences is fairly normal, even when they’re at odds with what others want. But this doesn’t promote understanding. What does promote it is genuinely listening to others and considering their desires to be equal to our own, even when they’re different. The benefit we may derive from single-mindedly agitating for our desires is diluted by the negative emotional and relational cost of ignoring others’ concerns. When we learn to respect others’ point of view as much as we cherish our own, not only do we experience more interpersonal harmony, we make…
The world better.
