“Surround yourself with people who are thoughtful in ways you are not, because they see what you can’t.”

—Shane Parrish, Founder of Farnum Street Blog

Image from Unsplash by Cédric Dhaenens

Surround yourself with people who see differently than you do. Their perspective is not a challenge to your vision — it’s a gift.

Where you see one path, they may notice hidden turns.

Where you sense limitations, they may point to possibilities.

Thoughtful people who think unlike you stretch your mind, spark fresh ideas, and protect you from blind spots. They expand the edges of your world.

It’s tempting to prefer echoes of your own thinking, but true growth comes from the harmony of diverse voices.

The wisest leaders are those who invite variety, listen deeply, and let others’ unique insights sharpen their own.

When we seek out thoughtful differences we’ll always see further than we could alone.

EXERCISE:

Identify one area of your life where you’d benefit from fresh thinking. Actively seek out someone who approaches that area differently. Invite and “try on” their input and note how their angle challenges your assumptions.