THE MOST UNCOMMON SENSE – COMMONSENSE
1. We are very sensible people. We think sensibly, we act sensibly and then we expect the results to be sensible also, but then why it is that there are conflicts, and why do we end up getting results which are not expected and sometimes disastrous. We have theories trying to explain human behavior and how to modify or to change them for better performance, but when applied in practice they do not always lead to desired results. These tend to be explained as abstractions or deviations from normal behavior.
2. We are very sensible but what we as humans lack is the commonsense. Commonsense is probably the most uncommon thing in our thought process and hence in our action. We copy and follow the best practice around us and apply them equally with rigor and in all sincerity but what we normally miss out in all this is the thought of commonsense. We fail to ask ourselves:-
(a) Does this makes commonsense?
(b) Will it benefit common people?
© Is the decision or action for a common good?
3. We normally take very narrow view of the action and decisions around us. We tend to look at them in the context of benefit for self, or in a broader perspective that of organization. Inherent in the organization benefit is still the hidden motive of self. What we normally fail to take into account is the test of commonsense that whether it will benefit the common goal or to the people in the organization and society as such. It is true that what will benefit the organization may also translate into benefit into people who form part of the organization. But even though, it is a broader view, but as compared to commonsense a somewhat narrower view. Commonsense is something which is probably uncommon in all the common people.
“Commonsense is the knack of seeing things as they are and doing things as they ought to be done.”
John Berger
John Berger
4. Commonsense is what people in common would agree and which they see sense in common as their common natural understanding. It is the belief and prepositions, which most of the common people in their experience considered to be prudent and of good judgment, without any recourse to any other theory, study or logical reasoning. It is believed to be based upon the knowledge held by common people. Commonsense generally tends to relate to the events within the human experience and sometimes erroneously thought to be against logical thinking.
“Commonsense is the collection of prejudices acquired by age eighteen.”
Albert Einstein
5. Commonsense can not be taught and neither its use. It is a skill which has to be acquired by constant use, trial and error and reinforcing the right beliefs, which are in consonance with commonsense, and thus turning it into a habit. Because it is a skill, hence it relies heavily on application, feedback, correction and reinforcement of right beliefs. Try to apply the principle of commonsense to every action/ decision one makes even if the decision does not lead to desired results or contrary to it and then treat this experience as an event on the learning curve and try again and again. Practice and experience will bring better and better results and make you more proficient and with more proficiency comes the expertise. It is just a matter of trial, error and correction.
6. Commonsense management is the implementation of nature’s good judgment to the management process or the effective utilization of resources to achieve the desired goal or results. It is simple but very uncommon. It is based on objectivity and a genuine willingness to implement changes. It can be said that it is the integration of assets, people and their skills to effectively achieve the object of business.
7. Our experiences are based on the patterns formed in our brain by the inputs given by our five senses. When we say we are using commonsense we mean that we are relating to these experiences and events which we have perceived in the past with our senses. The more effectively and faster one can relate to these experiences the more commonsense a person is said to have.
