Decentering Perspective
Decentering perspective is a psychological and cognitive process which requires drawing back one's own view and taking into account alternative view and contexts. This method is an important one for growth of empathy, developing problem-solving skills and reduction of bias in the decision-making process.
The ability to decenter is crucial for interpersonal relationships because it inspires individuals to recognize and even cherish the different viewpoints of others. A good example of this would be when a pair of people have a disagreement; by focusing on the other person's feelings and thoughts actively, they can communicate and solve the problem more constructively which in turn strengthens the relationship.
In problem-solving, decentering perspective allows individuals to analyze situations from multiple angles, leading to more innovative solutions. For example, a team facing a challenge may benefit from brainstorming sessions where members share diverse perspectives, thus uncovering options that might have been overlooked if everyone maintained a singular viewpoint.
Decentering perspective is a great way to personal biases by helping individuals recognize and challenge their convictions. A case in point, concerning job hiring, a recruiter who applies decentering could be the one who not only views the qualification and experience of the candidates but also considers their personal values and life experiences, thereby, promoting a more diverse and inclusive selection of candidates who value different backgrounds.
De-centering oneself is identifiable through active listening, participating in role-reversal exercises, and mindfulness meditation practices. The main example is in multi-party talks that after interjections, you paraphrase other people's ideas before disclose yours. It creates an environment that makes one think about various aspects of the topic which were not considered before.