Page 102 - Using MIS

Guide

eGoCentriC verSuS empathetiC thinKinG

As stated earlier, a problem is a perceived differ- from the professor’s point of view. Students who do not
ence between what is and what ought to be. When develop- come to class cause extra work for their professors. It does
ing information systems, it is critical for the development not matter how valid your reason for not attending class;
team to have a common definition and understanding of you may actually have been contagious with a fever of 102.
the problem. This common understanding can be difficult But, no matter what, your not coming to class is more work
to achieve, however. for your professor. He or she must do something extra to
Cognitive scientists distinguish between egocentric help you recover from the lost class time.
and empathetic thinking. Egocentric thinking centers on Using empathetic thinking, you would do all you can
the self; someone who engages in egocentric thinking con- to minimize the impact of your absence on your professor.
siders his or her view as “the real view” or “what really is.” In For example, you could say, “I couldn’t come to class, but
contrast, those who engage in empathetic thinking consider I got the class notes from Mary. I read through them, and I
their view as one possible interpretation of the situation have a question about establishing alliances as competitive
and actively work to learn what other people are thinking. advantage. . . . Oh, by the way, I’m sorry to trouble you with
Different experts recommend empathetic thinking for my problem.”
different reasons. Religious leaders say that such thinking is Before we go on, let’s consider a corollary to this sce-
morally superior; psychologists say that empathetic think- nario: Never, ever, send an email to your boss that says, “I
ing leads to richer, more fulfilling relationships. In business, couldn’t come to the staff meeting on Wednesday. Did we
empathetic thinking is recommended because it is smart. do anything important?” Avoid this for the same reasons as
Business is a social endeavor, and those who can under- those for missing class. Instead, find a way to minimize the
stand others’ points of view are always more effective. Even impact of your absence on your boss.
if you do not agree with others’
perspectives, you will be much
better able to work with them if
you understand their views.
Consider an example. Sup-
pose you say to your MIS profes-
sor, “Professor Jones, I couldn’t
come to class last Monday. Did we
do anything important?” Such a
statement is a prime example of
egocentric thinking. It takes no ac-
count of your professor’s point of
view and implies that your profes-
sor talked about nothing impor-
tant. As a professor, it is tempting
to say, “No, when I noticed you
weren’t there, I took out all the im-
portant material.”
To engage in empathetic
thinking, consider this situation
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