Clear Insights and The power of Discernment

‘Judgment’ or ‘discernment’?  I discuss this in a short 2 minute post on my YouTube Channel here (https://youtu.be/c2cNDw-OKpc). Please, log on, and have a view! I’d love to know what you think in the comments section too.

We're told we need to use our professional judgment, but what does ‘judgment’ mean?  It's an adjective, it's a word that describes a ‘person’, ‘place’, or ‘thing’.  

If someone is judgmental, well, it's characterized by a tendency to judge harshly.  ‘Judgmental’ has a value-laden quality.  There is a clear perception of bias.

‘Discernment’, on the other hand, is a word that means ‘showing insight and understanding’. If we look at the same phrase used earlier, it's like saying, ‘James has an American accent.’ There is no obvious tone, or indication of values for or against, it is just a labelling of the facts.

Discernment is one of the tools leaders can use to help them de-escalate down the ladder of inference. It can protect them from their own bias and predispositions.

Discernment is stating what's apparent, without placing a value judgement on this.

It's clarity of vision.

‘Judgment’ however, filters what is before you - as opposed to ‘Discernment’, which is like a clear lens through which to look.

We're told we need to use our professional judgment, but I wonder if that's really so wise.  

If discernment is what's required to see things as they are, without the filter of preconception and bias, I'd argue that it is far more professional than being judgmental.

This has been a clear insight from Insightful Path.  I hope you enjoyed it!