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Cognitive Dissonance

the state of having inconsistent thoughts, beliefs, or attitudes, esp. as relating to behavioral decisions and attitude change

I have the pleasure of working with people who resist growth.

What is the responsibility of a leader in an educational institution? Is it to be open-minded, and receptive to new ideas and new ways of doing things?

Or is it to hold on to old ways, to cling to control, to distrust openness?

A badger sees most other life forms as a challenge--its initial response to almost any behavior is to begin digging in. It is an aggressive and defensive posture. Immediately churn its powerful paws, start clawing the dirt. Whether attacking prey, defending itself, or posturing for potential mating, it digs in. Badgers are wandering creatures, nomads. They dig new homes every day if necessary.

How is one to grow if one is unwilling to open one's thinking to new possibilities?

Today, a badger challenged me. It said it would allow others to think if I were to answer some questions first. Then the badger could provide the information, act as the filter.

I did not like that.

I don't think others need to be given permission to think. I don't think they need to be shielded. I don't think they need protection.

I don't think I like being given conditions.

This whole business of thinking, and communicating, is not all that difficult. All it takes is trust. But any attempt to disrupt trust at the root of communication and thinking is toxic. It is the relic of a need to control others.

That kind of control needs to crumble.

What remains will be something that we can all live with and build on.

No one likes to be threatened. Certainly the badger does not. But the badger sees everything as a threat.

But the badger should not threaten others.