For me, it takes a while to form an opinion. I first consider my instinct, and then I try to put myself in the shoes of someone with a completely opposite or different context and consider their perspective. If it's a really important issue, I definitely try to educate myself to support my stance, while being conscious of confirmation bias and other psychological factors that could influence my judgment.
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Janet Szymanski
96
| Business Development | Product Launch |
02/09/21 at 1:53PM UTC
Thanks for sharing! Who wants to join the conversation?
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ROSALIE DAY
197
Policy career + conflict analysis & data science
02/09/21 at 9:34PM UTC
I have to know the relevant facts about the topic to have an opinion on it. Because of my interdisciplinary education, I need to have a lot of facts to voice an opinion without conditions. I am always aware that anecdotal evidence or my experiences may not be indicative of the norm.
I don't need any facts if it is a matter of taste - like visual aesthetic, music or food preference. For better or worse, I like what I like. If something is known to be quality and I don't particularly like it, I try to better articulate why I don't.
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Janet Szymanski
96
| Business Development | Product Launch |
02/09/21 at 9:53PM UTC
It is important to have an opinion and be able to make informed decisions that will shape our future. Where to find the facts?
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ROSALIE DAY
197
Policy career + conflict analysis & data science
02/10/21 at 3:04PM UTC
Where to find facts? It depends on what topics. I read news articles only from media that routinely print retractions (which signals they try to be fact-based and are held accountable). I avoid values laden reporting unless I am sure which angle a journalist is coming from. I read academic articles for economics and sociology, and industry journals for AI and cyber risk. Because of my statistical and data science training, sometimes I go to straight to the data. However, if its survey data, I need to see the survey and how it was administered.
Yes, I use Google and Google Scholar which leads me to more and more data. Critical thinking skills are key.
I have opinions, one of which is that too many people have opinions that are not evidence-based; anecdotal or resulting from confirmation and availability biases, overly simplified, or taken out of context.
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Janet Szymanski
96
| Business Development | Product Launch |
02/10/21 at 4:37PM UTC
I agree too many people have opinions that are not evidence-based. Since you read articles on economics etc... what are your thoughts on The Economist?
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Stephanie Dufner
131
Communications professional
02/10/21 at 1:43AM UTC
A few things inform my opinions: Experiences, education, knowledge, and my values. Also, as others have stated, facts. I try to look at all angles of a situation, but my values and principles guide me along with facts from reliable sources.
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Janet Szymanski
96
| Business Development | Product Launch |
02/10/21 at 3:13AM UTC
What are you go to reliable sources?
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Stephanie Dufner
131
Communications professional
02/10/21 at 3:41PM UTC
For topics of interest (communications, PR, social media, leadership), I look to experts with 5+ years experience and subject matter experts who have researched topics. News-wise, I'll go to unbiased sources like the Associated Press and NPR.
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Janet Szymanski
96
| Business Development | Product Launch |
02/10/21 at 4:39PM UTC
Since news-wise you go to unbiased sources, are you familiar with The Economist?
Perspective is always personal, as are opinions. And they change over time... and life experiences. What I believe now, vs when i started my career are, in some ways, polar opposite. But the values are primarily the same. So long as I pair my opinions against my values, and question the discordance, I can fly a straight path.
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Janet Szymanski
96
| Business Development | Product Launch |
02/10/21 at 5:06PM UTC
Thanks for sharing! Anyone else what to add?
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Krista Haugner Sieg, MBA
373
FairyGodBoss In Training. D & I Advocate.
02/10/21 at 6:42PM UTC
To add a bit of humor: I like to apply the "bumper sticker test". If your entire thought process can be summed up on a bumper sticker, you may need to think about it more. That isn't to say that there aren't really succinct ways to sum up a topic/issue, but that important ideas require thought and there should be depth to up your opinions.
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Janet Szymanski
96
| Business Development | Product Launch |
02/10/21 at 7:25PM UTC
I like that insight.
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Anonymous
02/12/21 at 2:18AM UTC
Interesting conversation and topic! It seems to me that right now we are in a time when our culture no longer differentiates opinions or reality. I used to feel that my opinion didn't really matter all that much, because it could change anytime as I learn and receive new information or have different experiences. Now we seem to have reached a point where we think we are discussing difference of opinions, but what is really happening is we are living in completely different realities. This has been what I have really been struggling with lately!
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Janet Szymanski
96
| Business Development | Product Launch |
02/12/21 at 11:35AM UTC
Thanks for your perspective.
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SANDRA KOPECKY
44
Lead Software Engineer/Systems Analyst / Adjunct
02/14/21 at 2AM UTC
Depends on the topic. Knowledge, experience, exposure, beliefs, morals.
Everyone has an opinion on everything. Doesn't make them right, doesn't make them wrong.
The Dead Pool1988. Harry Callahan: Well, opinions are like assholes. Everybody has one.
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Janet Szymanski
96
| Business Development | Product Launch |
02/14/21 at 2:04AM UTC
So true. Everyone has an opinion on everything. Where are the facts?
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SANDRA KOPECKY
44
Lead Software Engineer/Systems Analyst / Adjunct
02/14/21 at 2:14AM UTC
If the fact that the sky is blue.
My opinion is that it's a pleasant day, or that it's a pretty blue, or that it makes me happy.
Suzie's opinion is that she doesn't like it and would like more clouds.
Fact didn't change - it's a different opinion, neither opinion is incorrect and both should be respected.
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Janet Szymanski
96
| Business Development | Product Launch |
02/14/21 at 2:24AM UTC
Makes sense
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Sarah Bartley
107
Front-end Web Developer
02/15/21 at 4:13AM UTC
Depends on the topic/subject. But overall for most cases experience and perspective helps as well as having lots of facts and research. I take a long time to form an opinion so I like to do my own research and look at different sides of the topic to shape what eventually will be my own opinion.
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Janet Szymanski
96
| Business Development | Product Launch |
02/15/21 at 4:19AM UTC
Thanks for engaging! What sources?
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Janet Szymanski
96
| Business Development | Product Launch |
02/16/21 at 3:53PM UTC
Continuing your conversation...I was reading this week in https://hbr.org/2020/01/the-elements-of-good-judgment "Leaders with good judgment tend to be good listeners and readers." Interesting how often hiring managers are looking for confidence?
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