Common Horizons Foundation
Finding common ground
Our aim to is to use the power of performance psychology and business reasoning to bring people together for common purposes. We hope to open new perspectives and views, not by actively trying to change minds, but rather by encouraging people to hear and consider alternatives.
Our Foundation is fully non-partisan, with no political lean or bias. We hope to
Why Find Common Ground?
Second thoughts are a vital part of decision-making and growth. They involve reflecting on past choices, re-evaluating information, and potentially changing your perspective or actions.
Second thoughts allow for the integration of new information or perspectives, leading to more informed and thoughtful decisions. Reconsidering your stance on issues can deepen empathy, allowing you to see things from others’ perspectives.
As circumstances change, holding rigidly to old choices might hinder progress. Reconsidering helps adapt to new realities and fosters personal development. A willingness to revisit decisions shows flexibility and humility, qualities often admired in personal and professional settings.
Second thoughts foster innovative thinking by challenging assumptions and exploring alternative paths.
Second thinking isn’t about being indecisive—it’s about being deliberate and intentional. It’s a sign of strength, not weakness, to re-evaluate and, if necessary, choose a different path.
About Second Thoughts
Second thoughts are often seen as a sign of hesitation or doubt, but they play a crucial role in decision-making and personal growth. Here’s why they matter:
1. Preventing Impulsiveness
- Impulse control: Especially in high-stakes decisions, having second thoughts can help counter impulsive actions. It allows you to take a step back, reassess the situation, and consider potential consequences before acting.
- Balance emotional response: Initial decisions are often influenced by strong emotions (e.g., anger, excitement). Taking a moment to reconsider can help you process those feelings and respond more thoughtfully.
2. Encouraging Critical Thinking
- Evaluating biases: Second thoughts help you challenge your initial assumptions and recognize any biases. This reflective process is key to making more informed, balanced choices.
- Considering alternatives: Revisiting your decision allows you to explore different perspectives or possibilities you may have overlooked initially.
3. Learning and Growth
- Feedback loop: Reflecting on your choices, especially if you end up with regrets, can be a valuable learning experience. It helps you understand what you might want to do differently in the future.
- Cognitive flexibility: It encourages adaptability. Being willing to change your mind shows openness and the ability to integrate new information or insights.
4. Balancing Confidence with Humility
- Humility in decision-making: It’s easy to fall into the trap of overconfidence, especially when you’re sure of your first instinct. Second thoughts provide a space for humility, where you acknowledge that you might not have considered everything.
- Confidence in caution: Knowing that you’ve weighed your options carefully can actually increase your confidence in the decision you eventually make.
- Donate to our mission. 100% of money raised goes toward activities that promote second thoughts that bring people closer and bridge social gaps. Performance Psychology Group matches all donations 100%!
- Share your own stories of using our process to help people reconsider a belief or ideal. Even if they don’t change their mind, share how they came to understand another side.
- Volunteer for the Foundation at our next event. Sign up through the contact page and we’ll let you know when we start planning events in your area or online.
What We do
Unite People
Bring people together despite disagreements, helping bridge misunderstandings and grow tolerance for differing opionions
Find Compromise
Work to build compromise when it seems elusive, but only one side can win.
Build Teamwork
Help people accomplish great things by embracing differences in opinion and approach as a good thing.
Create Trust
Build respect and trust even when groups disagree. These positives become an investment in future discussions.
Our Process
1. Start with Empathy and Understanding
- Listen Actively: Before trying to persuade, understand why the person holds their current belief. People are more open to changing their minds if they feel heard.
- Acknowledge Valid Points: Recognize any valid concerns or aspects of their viewpoint that make sense. This shows respect and can lower their defenses.
2. Use the Socratic Method
- Ask Questions, Don’t Argue: Instead of stating your case outright, ask open-ended questions that lead the person to examine their beliefs. This can help them discover inconsistencies or new perspectives on their own.
- Example: “What led you to that conclusion?” or “Have you ever considered what might happen if X were true?”
3. Provide New, Trustworthy Information
- Use Reliable Sources: Share evidence from trusted, unbiased sources. People are more likely to trust information that aligns with their values and comes from a source they respect.
- Present Novel Information: People are more open to reconsidering their opinions when presented with something they haven’t heard before.
4. Create Cognitive Dissonance
- Highlight Contradictions: Gently point out any contradictions in their beliefs without being confrontational. When people realize their beliefs don’t align, they may feel motivated to resolve the inconsistency.
- Example: “I’ve noticed you care a lot about fairness. How do you reconcile that with your stance on X?”
5. Frame Your Argument in Their Values
- Value Matching: Instead of using your own values as the basis for your argument, align it with their values. If someone values freedom, show how your perspective supports freedom rather than opposing it.
6. Build a Personal Connection
- Share Personal Stories: Narratives and anecdotes can be more persuasive than raw data. Personal stories can evoke empathy and make your argument more relatable.
- Be Vulnerable: Share how your own opinions have changed over time. This can make it easier for them to consider changing as well.
7. Use the Power of Consistency
- Start Small: Ask for small agreements first, then gradually lead them to more significant changes in perspective. This technique leverages people’s desire to remain consistent in their beliefs and actions.
8. Be Patient and Respectful
- Don’t Expect Immediate Change: Changing opinions is a process. Plant the seed of doubt and give them time to reflect on it.
- Avoid Shaming: Making someone feel bad or embarrassed about their beliefs will usually backfire. Respectful dialogue is more productive.
9. Present a Compelling Alternative
- Offer a Solution: People are more likely to change their views if they see a better alternative. Provide a clear, positive, and actionable alternative to their current belief.
10. Use Social Proof and Consensus
- Show That Others Are Changing Their Minds: People often look to others when forming or changing opinions. If they see others (especially people they respect) changing their minds, they may be more open to doing so.
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