[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ min_height=”1782px” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”]<\/p>\n
Last week, two of my team members were horrified to read about a new law that the Taliban have passed in Afghanistan, making it illegal for women to speak outside of their homes because their voices are \u201cpotential instruments of vice\u201d.\u00a0 This is part of the country\u2019s first vice and virtue laws, which also include public executions and flogging for women who do not conceal their voice, face and body, or are seen looking at a male who is not a relative.<\/span><\/p>\n What horrified my colleagues more than the actual Taliban laws, was the fact that these laws had been passed almost three months previously, and no-one was talking about it.\u00a0 No-one (including myself) knew about it.<\/span><\/p>\n Why was that?\u00a0 Is it because Afghanistan feels far away?\u00a0 Is it because the Taliban is alien to us, with almost zero probability of impacting us directly?\u00a0 Is it because we don\u2019t know anyone from Afghanistan?\u00a0 Is it someone else\u2019s problem in a land far, far away?<\/span><\/p>\n What if we looked at this differently?\u00a0 What if we considered every single one of those Afghani women as a fellow human being.\u00a0 What if we imagined having a sister in Afghanistan?\u00a0 What then?\u00a0 Might then the horrific circumstances they are in feel closer to home?\u00a0 How can we feel more empathy for these women, and increase not only their daughters\u2019 chances of a better future, but those of our own children too.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s time to get curious.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n Empathy and compassion\u2014two key components of meaningful human connections\u2014are naturally fostered through curiosity. \u00a0Positive psychology emphasises the importance of compassion in achieving both personal and social well-being, and curiosity is a key enabler.<\/span><\/p>\n How?<\/span><\/p>\n Breaking Down Bias and Stereotypes: Curiosity disrupts stereotypes by encouraging us to learn more about individuals as unique people rather than making assumptions based on preconceptions. \u00a0According to Carol Dweck\u2019s research on growth mindset, those who view their understanding of others as fluid rather than fixed are more open to learning about others\u2019 lived experiences and seeing beyond surface-level judgments.<\/span><\/p>\n Fostering Shared Humanity: Approaching others with curiosity about their experiences fosters a sense of shared humanity. \u00a0Through curiosity, we begin to see the world through the eyes of others, developing a sense of compassion as we recognise common struggles, hopes, and dreams. \u00a0This understanding is critical to creating stronger, more compassionate societies, workplaces, and relationships.<\/span><\/p>\n Encouraging Pro-social Behaviours: Curiosity can also be a motivating force for acts of kindness and altruism. \u00a0When we are curious about the lives and struggles of others, we are more likely to feel compassion and extend kindness. \u00a0Studies show that empathy-driven behaviours, such as helping others, foster a sense of connection, purpose, and fulfilment, which in turn boosts our own well-being.<\/span><\/p>\n Practical Steps to Cultivate Curiosity and Open-mindedness<\/span><\/p>\n While curiosity is a natural trait, it can also be cultivated. \u00a0Here are a few practical strategies:<\/span><\/p>\n 1. Ask Open-ended Questions: In your conversations, practice asking questions that invite others to share more about themselves or their views. \u00a0This fosters deeper connection and learning.<\/span><\/p>\n 2. Embrace Mindfulness: Mindfulness encourages a \u201cbeginner\u2019s mind,\u201d a state of openness and freedom from preconceptions. \u00a0By focusing on the present moment, we cultivate an ability to see things as if for the first time.<\/span><\/p>\n 3. Challenge Assumptions: Make it a habit to notice and question your assumptions about others. \u00a0Approach people and situations with a mindset of learning rather than judging.<\/span><\/p>\n 4. Explore New Perspectives: Make time to read, listen to, or watch content that challenges your views. \u00a0Exposure to diverse perspectives stimulates curiosity and increases empathy.<\/span><\/p>\n 5. Reflect on Conversations: After a conversation, reflect on what you learned and how it expanded your perspective. \u00a0This can help solidify the habit of approaching conversations with a desire to learn.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI have no special talents.\u00a0 I am only passionately curious\u201d<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n Albert Einstein<\/span><\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”3.22″ min_height=”1782px” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”] Last week, two of my team members were horrified to read about a new law that the Taliban have passed in Afghanistan, making it illegal for women to speak outside of their homes because their […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":583,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" Last week, two of my team members were horrified to read about a new law that the Taliban have passed in Afghanistan, making it illegal for women to speak outside of their homes because their voices are \u201cpotential instruments of vice\u201d.\u00a0 This is part of the country\u2019s first vice and virtue laws, which also include public executions and flogging for women who do not conceal their voice, face and body, or are seen looking at a male who is not a relative.<\/p>\r\n What horrified my colleagues more than the actual Taliban laws, was the fact that these laws had been passed almost three months previously, and no-one was talking about it.\u00a0 No-one (including myself) knew about it.<\/p>\r\n Why was that?\u00a0 Is it because Afghanistan feels far away?\u00a0 Is it because the Taliban is alien to us, with almost zero probability of impacting us directly?\u00a0 Is it because we don\u2019t know anyone from Afghanistan?\u00a0 Is it someone else\u2019s problem in a land far, far away?<\/p>\r\n What if we looked at this differently?\u00a0 What if we considered every single one of those Afghani women as a fellow human being.\u00a0 What if we imagined having a sister in Afghanistan?\u00a0 What then?\u00a0 Might then the horrific circumstances they are in feel closer to home?\u00a0 How can we feel more empathy for these women, and increase not only their daughters\u2019 chances of a better future, but those of our own children too.<\/p>\r\n\r\n It\u2019s time to get curious.<\/p>\r\n<\/blockquote>\r\n Empathy and compassion\u2014two key components of meaningful human connections\u2014are naturally fostered through curiosity. \u00a0Positive psychology emphasises the importance of compassion in achieving both personal and social well-being, and curiosity is a key enabler.<\/p>\r\n How?<\/p>\r\n Breaking Down Bias and Stereotypes: Curiosity disrupts stereotypes by encouraging us to learn more about individuals as unique people rather than making assumptions based on preconceptions. \u00a0According to Carol Dweck\u2019s research on growth mindset, those who view their understanding of others as fluid rather than fixed are more open to learning about others\u2019 lived experiences and seeing beyond surface-level judgments.<\/p>\r\n Fostering Shared Humanity: Approaching others with curiosity about their experiences fosters a sense of shared humanity. \u00a0Through curiosity, we begin to see the world through the eyes of others, developing a sense of compassion as we recognise common struggles, hopes, and dreams. \u00a0This understanding is critical to creating stronger, more compassionate societies, workplaces, and relationships.<\/p>\r\n Encouraging Pro-social Behaviours: Curiosity can also be a motivating force for acts of kindness and altruism. \u00a0When we are curious about the lives and struggles of others, we are more likely to feel compassion and extend kindness. \u00a0Studies show that empathy-driven behaviours, such as helping others, foster a sense of connection, purpose, and fulfilment, which in turn boosts our own well-being.<\/p>\r\n Practical Steps to Cultivate Curiosity and Open-mindedness<\/p>\r\n While curiosity is a natural trait, it can also be cultivated. \u00a0Here are a few practical strategies:<\/p>\r\n\r\n \u201cI have no special talents.\u00a0 I am only passionately curious\u201d<\/p>\r\n Albert Einstein<\/p>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[9,7,8,6],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/positiveperformance.co.bw\/Clone\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/Artlce-Image-1.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Positive 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