Don't Judge a Book by its Cover

Who hasn’t heard this expression before, "don’t judge a book by it’s cover"?  As tempting as it is, making judgments about the way something is can be a slippery slope.  Although I must preface, being judgmental is important in a lot of ways. For one, it helps us evaluate threats, understand our surroundings, and usually make good decisions.

I want to focus on how making judgments about other people can be to a detriment, which brings us to today’s tip, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”.

Our first inclination when assessing someone is external. Our attraction to them physically, the way they dress, the way they carry themselves, is all communicated within seconds. This is featured in Malcolm Gladwell’s book, Blink, where he calls this quick perception “thin-slicing”.  Make a point to see beyond the exterior and more into where compatibility lies.  

To do so, simply start getting to know the other person and remove any pre-conceived notions about who they are or what they do. Having an open-mind when first meeting someone is the foundation to a mutually beneficial relationship so that you can understand each other for who your are.

Then, as the relationship builds, continue to use that information to better relate with them.  

So don’t judge a book by its cover. Compatibility is way more than skin-deep and each person deserves that you take the time to see it.