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Sometimes, what creates distance in a team isn’t the difference in opinions but the habit of judging too quickly before trying to understand.

Because behind every perspective lies a story, and behind every action, there’s always a reason. When we slow down our judgment and look deeper, we often find that everyone has good intentions — just different ways of expressing them.

That’s where a strong team begins — not when everyone agrees, but when everyone understands.

Understanding Doesn’t Mean Agreeing on Everything

In any diverse team, differences in opinion are normal. But what truly matters isn’t agreement — it’s understanding.

We can disagree while still respecting each other’s viewpoints. Understanding means recognizing that everyone’s perspective is shaped by their experiences, values, and backgrounds and that diversity of thought makes the team more complete.

Don’t Rush to Judge — Everyone Has Their Own Reasons

We often see the results of someone’s actions, but rarely know the reasons behind them. Quick judgments can easily lead to misunderstanding.

In a healthy team, people give each other the space to explain, the chance to speak, and the benefit of being understood before being evaluated. Sometimes, listening for just a moment can reveal the heart behind another person’s choice.

When We Seek to Understand Instead of Argue, the Team Grows Closer

A great team isn’t defined by who speaks louder or who’s “right,” but by how well people can listen, speak, and understand one another.

When disagreements happen, many people rush to defend their own views — but real growth happens when we pause and ask with curiosity instead of resistance.

For example, when someone suggests an idea that’s different from the team’s usual approach,

instead of saying, “That won’t work,” try asking: “What made you think this approach could help us?”

or “How might we adapt this idea to fit our situation?”

By shifting from arguing to asking with understanding, a conversation turns from confrontation into collaboration. And the team begins to feel that every voice has space, and every opinion has value.

Because behind most differences lies the same intention a shared desire to make things better.

When we understand this, differences stop being walls and become bridges that connect us instead.

Teams That Understand Each Other, Trust Each Other

Understanding is the foundation of trust. And when trust exists, people speak up, think freely, and take action without fear of being judged.

This is the essence of Inclusion in the DEI mindset — creating an environment where everyone feels safe to be themselves, knows their ideas matter, and feels heard and respected for who they are.

In conclusion, When we look at each other with understanding instead of the eyes of judgment, relationships in the team begin to shift — from distance to connection, from differences to shared strength. Because understanding doesn’t just make teamwork smoother — it builds a culture of trust, where everyone feels free to share ideas, to make mistakes, and to grow — together.