We love validation, don't we? To have someone agree with us can make us feel good about ourselves. Assent feels good.
But how valuable is it?
In my experience assent is nowhere near as valuable as dissent.
Dissent is where I learn most – from friends, the kids, colleagues, clients.
Being made to check and test my beliefs is a valuable exercise. It’s also rewarding for all concerned.
Assenters are little use to me; dissenters are worth their weight in gold.
If all I ever hear is assent, then I will have sanitised my network to the point of uselessness.
Could it be the same for you?
You'll find out more and be better for it than hearing the same old platitudes.