In a world where differences are often seen as a threat instead of an opportunity for growth, it’s important that we learn the art of critical thinking. When we let our biases get in the way, we create distance between ourselves and those who are different from us. This can lead to wars, discrimination, and othering. As leaders, it’s essential that we learn to approach people and situations with an open mind. But how do we do that? This is where dialectic comes in.

Dialectic is a pattern of reasoning that traces its roots back to ancient Greek philosophy. It’s a process of presenting and establishing a thesis, presenting one or more facts that contradict the thesis, and then synthesizing those facts to create a new declaration of truth that takes both the thesis and the antithesis into account. The goal of dialectic is to achieve balance and fair-minded dialogue.

Let’s take a look at a real-world example of dialectic in modern Canadian politics. The thesis might be that Canada is an inclusive and diverse country that welcomes immigrants and promotes multiculturalism. The antithesis might be the fact that many immigrants face systemic barriers that prevent them from fully participating in Canadian society, such as discrimination in the workforce or lack of access to healthcare. The synthesis might be a new declaration of truth that acknowledges both the strengths and weaknesses of Canada’s approach to immigration, and proposes solutions that address the barriers faced by immigrants.

As leaders, we can use dialectic to unpack our biases and approach people and situations with a more open mind. One way to do this is by practicing what John Berardi calls “Google the opposite.” This involves researching and exploring the opposite of what we believe, in order to gain a better understanding of alternative perspectives. We can also play devil’s advocate with our own biases, challenging ourselves to see things from different angles and considering the potential flaws in our own thinking.

It’s important to note that dialectic requires more than just critical thinking skills – it also requires a willingness to engage in respectful, constructive dialogue with others. This means listening to other viewpoints and being open to changing our own opinions based on new information. It requires empathy, active listening, and a commitment to building stronger relationships across different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives.

In a world where differences are often seen as a threat, it’s more important than ever that we learn to think critically and engage in fair-minded dialogue with others. Dialectic provides us with a framework for doing just that, by allowing us to explore our biases, consider alternative perspectives, and synthesize new truths that acknowledge the complexity of our world. As leaders, we have a responsibility to model this kind of thinking and approach people and situations with an open mind. By doing so, we can build stronger, more inclusive communities where everyone has a voice and feels valued.