In our last article we shared of Changing Directional thought processes to keep from falling into a rut or a ditch (a rut with the ends knocked out). This week I want to share three benefits that come from changing directional thought processes. Whether you are attempting to change the directional thought processes of an individual or an entire organization, these benefits will shine through.
Changing directional thought processes is not about brainwashing or coercing others to your desires. It is about producing a positive outcome for better living and better life choices for the individual and organization.
Some people seem to always have a negative attitude about most everything. Others just seem to continue making bad life choices. Most all of these are rooted in one or both of the quality characteristics, confidence and competence. Helping to redirect their thought processes will assist these people greatly while simultaneously aiding their organizations.
3 benefits of changing directional thought processes: Changing directional thought processes…
- takes people deeper in the learning experience. By asking the right questions (see previous article) individuals are challenged to personal introspection, not out of threat or accusation, but out of care and concern. Any time you cause someone to reflect through caring introspection, you cause him/her to move into deeper thought processes which creates a learning experience.
- Does not stop with attaching old information to new. To learn anything new you must first attach the new information to something you already know. If you learn of a new restaurant that you would like to try, you do not have to start over learning how to drive, you only need to know the directional coordinates on how to get to the restaurant. In reality, you will learn of familiar stores and restaurants close to the new one. Since you already know those locations, you not only attach the new to previous knowledge, your mind easily calculates the route to the new restaurant.
The same is true with all information. Once it is attached to something already in your memory base, a new learning experience can occur which can lead to a change in behavioral processes.
- Leads people in a discovery of what they had not previously experienced or considered Asking the right questions in right order will always lead people to ponder ideas and ways they had not considered before. Once learning of the new restaurant mentioned above you begin describing the path you would take, someone queries, “What about the ne new bypass, would it not be quicker and easier?” With this one non-accusatory question your thought processes have been challenged to consider new possibilities.
Learning to use questions that change directional thought processes is a powerful tool in helping others gain insight & create new behavioral patterns to better themselves and any organizations he/she is involved in. Creating positive reflective learning experiences changes the direction of thinking and behavior.
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.