Often times we neglect to empathise on what others are going through. We are viewing it in our own perspective as opposed to walking in their shoes. It is an egotistic approach that is often dubbed as being self-centred. When we discriminate on others, we are venturing on a reproachable act of playing. First and foremost we have no idea on what those people are going through.
There are certain factors that affect people to act beyond the accepted social norms; it could be stress and imminent fight or flight mechanism triggered due to an emergency. Like a mother rushing through traffic worried of her child. She had worked nine hours at an under appreciated, underpaid job that day. She is eagerly driving home because she still has to cook for her children, help them with their homework, do laundry and then hopefully - if time allows - spend a few precious moments with her children which is the most important thing.
We need to remember that the haggard-looking, body pierced, overtly tattooed, disinterested and disillusioned young man who is having problems making change correctly is, in fact, an extremely stressed and worried 19-year-old college student. He is currently mentally juggling and balancing his apprehensions over taking final exams - with his fear of not getting his student loans for next semester.
Drop all your preconceived ideas and be open to see the good in others, regardless of their appearance, reputation or actions. Let us not judge or prejudge. Empathise with others; get to know them beyond the norm of social interaction. Who knows... we might make a significant impact on their lives.
Never judge a book by its cover. Never prejudice your opinions with a circumstantial filter on your heart. Everyone has a LIFE that cannot be gauge by outside appearance. (CLICK HERE to read about how I feel about one of the most misunderstood people in the history of mankind.)
To be a great leader, you need to have a teachable heart. No matter how successful or how esteemed you are as a leader, you are not perfect therefore you cannot possibly be right all the time. Learn to be sensitive and don't be insensitive. And learn to listen! If you think you are right all the time or most of the time, you need a serious reality check.
