I recently observed a panel discussion about sustainable solutions in the Green Industry. This was of particular interest to me as the President of a company that produces an eco-friendly herbicide, but I was unprepared for what I witnessed.
We’ve all gotten the robocalls from lawyers and heard of the lawsuits against Roundup. A ten-billion-dollar settlement was levied against Bayer last summer prompting them to remove the Roundup containing glyphosate from the lawn and garden shelves. Even though there are numerous studies that link glyphosate to cancer, not all people are believers.
During this discussion, a few people stood up to share their skepticism about the dangers of Roundup and became aggressive in their defense of glyphosate. This caused the other side to become just as defensive. As the meeting descended into a gathering of name-calling and superior side-eye, it occurred to me that this was not about weed killer at all. It’s about confirmation bias. We have grown so accustomed to picking a side that once our mind is made-up we tend to, not only tune out rational dissent but aggressively defend our position.
Not long after that, I was at a trade show in Myrtle Beach where I had a discussion with a hardware store owner who began to vigorously defend his 30-year use of Roundup. I politely told him “Sir, I’m not trying to change your mind. I just want you to have an alternative for those of your customers who ask for it”. He laughed and bought three cases of our product.
Like never before, confirmation bias has shaped conversations. Our friends, peers, competition—almost everyone, including my waitress at my local diner feels compelled to “win” an open discussion on the topic at hand. When did we stop listening to understand, listening to comprehend, or just politely listening, versus shouting to get the upper hand?
I challenge you to open your mind the next time you find yourself on the opposite side of a discussion. Not all religion is the gospel.
PATRICK HENRY
COO of MonarchChem
Patrick is an author, songwriter, and performance keynote speaker focusing on human connections and business strategies. As a former Nashville songwriter and humorist on the SiriusXM Radio Family Comedy Channels, Patrick brings a unique blend of humor, music, and message to his audiences.
PatrickHenrySpeaker.com
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