I had a conversation today that led to a brief discussion of opinions, and that is not to say that it was an argument, but it was truly a discussion. More to the point it was about how one can separate the opinion from fact and their ability to judge based on the findings. I understand how vague that is, so luckily I plan to elaborate further so that I may get this off of my chest.

Society tells us that first impressions are important, that they lay the groundwork for all that follows, and that is certainly true regardless of the fact that it wouldn’t be as true without societies input. So when you meet someone new, let’s just say a co-worker, and while you don’t get many opportunities to speak with that person or get to know them at all, one part of your job requires a certain kind of interaction with that person. It’s very impersonal and the dialogue is restricted heavily, but you get a feel for that person despite such limited interaction.

Then let’s say that in the course of each of you performing your job, where you are the instructor and they are the instructed, you happen to uncover a very unprofessional character trait of the other person, would you or would you not form an opinion of that person based on that one incident? What if that one incident was only the second time you had spoken with them at all in any way?

Well that is what happened, and if you check one of my past blog entries on my MySpace account, you’ll find a detailed description of what happened. Today I found out that indeed that person has been promoted as a supervisor and will now be one of my direct supervisors. That is what started the conversation today and I expressed that I felt, at best, uncomfortable working under someone who has acted the way that person has. That in particular was a case of that individual making a mistake, followed by another and another, and then by yet another, which was followed by correction from me and a senior supervisor, that led to that person making their feelings very well known in a very confrontational way.

That gave me the distinct impression that this person would be unable to ever admit personal wrong doing or mistakes, and to me that is far from the ideal for a person in a leadership role at a company. I was then, upon briefly stating my feelings, lectured on how I shouldn’t judge anyone, from a person who didn’t even know what had happened in the first place, in turns out. I in turn had to describe my position in great detail in order to make myself clear, and successfully so I might add, but it seems that while I am able to make a distinction between fact and opinion, and apply that knowledge towards the person in question without bias or an agenda of any sort, most people are not able to do so or simply do not do so. And worse yet, it is so expected that I am being accused of such unfair act often.

But what is it about a first impression that sticks with us for so long? In a first meeting you typically learn a name and maybe some other minute detail, while being able to discover things such as race, origin, and attitude, and that can happen in as little as one minute . I can tell you just as the other person involved would, I have since sought out conversation with them at my own initiative, and have developed a report with that person.

It hasn’t hindered my abilities or efforts to do so because of the ill feelings I had towards that person, in fact, those feelings may have been a driving force behind me trying to get better acquainted. I have always found a way to fall subject to someone else’s bigoted and judgmental attitudes, usually because of my age as I have always lived older than I was at the time. So I have a deep appreciation for the value of getting to know someone before any real opinion is formed, and while I may keep past experience in mind, I do not let it determine how I interact with that person.

Now I should also note that upon the revival of such poor character traits I will instantly say “I told you so” to who ever will listen, but if at some point that other person proves to me to be sincere and wiser because of past experience then I will gladly live and let live.

I try to rationalize everything for the benefit of all involved, and until I have a reason to do otherwise, I will give the benefit of the doubt, even if I am watching carefully for a relapse. Now I am sorry for wasting any time with this entry, it seems my mind is not nearly as poetic now as it has been many times lately, perhaps next time.