When my father decided to have his flat roof replaced to improve rainwater drainage, he had a very specific vision in mind (as many hands-on parents do). In order to explore his options, he invited several local builders to provide estimates.
The first builder suggested a solution that didn’t align with my father’s original plans, and as a result, he was dismissed without further consideration.
The second builder proposed an identical solution, which, unsurprisingly, resulted in the same reaction—disapproval and dismissal.
The third and fourth builders, unaware of the previous suggestions, coincidentally proposed the same solutions. As you can guess, these were also met with rejection.
However, the fifth builder finally presented a solution that resonated with my father, and he agreed to proceed with their plan.
Now, it would make for a more dramatic tale if I could tell you that the roof had collapsed, but unfortunately, that’s not the case (at least not yet—who knows what the future holds!).
This story highlights an important lesson in decision-making, particularly when it comes to expert advice. It’s all too easy to seek validation rather than truly listening to expert recommendations. In this case, it was as if my father was looking for an expert opinion that happened to align with his personal preferences, rather than objectively considering the best solution.
Let’s take a more extreme example to drive the point home. Imagine if four doctors advised you against taking a blue tablet, warning of potentially fatal consequences. Despite their expert guidance, if you were determined to take it because you simply liked the colour blue, would you be swayed by a fifth doctor who shared your affection for the colour and assured you the tablet would be fine?
This is exactly what happens when we disregard expert advice and only seek validation from those whose views align with our own.
In conclusion, while flat roofs may not be for everyone (and the same goes for risky medication!), it’s crucial to strike a balance between expert guidance and open-mindedness. Making informed decisions requires us to evaluate advice carefully and resist the temptation to choose only those perspectives that affirm our existing beliefs.
Stay thoughtful, and best of luck when the storms inevitably arrive.