the game is afoot: observation

The game is afoot..to a Sherlock Holmes fan the words are instantly recognisable.  Even without being a devotee it is hard to escape Sherlock, he is the most widely depicted fictional character in history and the number continues to grow (latest Henry Cavill). As a child I graduated from Nancy Drew to Sherlock Holmes with ease.  Holmes may seem like an unusual topic for a blog about conflict resolution but stick with me.

Like all of us, Holmes is flawed.  He is heroic and yet we can see the challenges he faces and creates for himself. He is exceptionally capable and yet can barely function in some settings.

Over the next few weeks, I will be looking at one aspect of his character and considering how this aspect can help or hinder us in conflict. It may also be that the onset of autumn makes me want to immerse myself in the stories and novels of Conan Doyle. 

​What is Holmes' most defining characteristic? although, I think you could make a good argument for his obsessive focus, his single-mindedness; his courage or his curiosity, for me it is his clarity of thought.  From pieces of information, some seemingly irrelevant, Holmes is able to construct a picture of what is going on.

In Silver Blaze, Holmes considers the "curious incident of the dog in the night".  This information is seemingly meaningless and is ignored by other characters. Holmes is able to focus on the implications of this small fact. He is able to consider the fact and then consider what this means and construct a hypothesis. He is driven by the information and then works to create meaning. 

In conflict, people often work in reverse.  We assign meaning to other people's behaviour and then we work backwards to seek out the words / actions which justify our assigned meaning.  In this way we may feel an emotional truth and then use our rational brain to justify our beliefs.  In conflict, this ability can become magnified.  It can lead to entrenched views and flawed thinking. It can lead us to rationalise our negative beliefs - the other person is selfish, thoughtless, a narcissist, etc.

Leon Festinger was a pioneer in the field of cognitive dissonance. I have written in an earlier post about one of my favourite books, "Mistakes Were Made - but Not by Me". This book explores the way in which we use our cognitive powers to justify decisions we have already made. An error in thinking, of which I am sure, Holmes would steer clear.

In conflict, being more like Sherlock Holmes and working from data to theory can be more productive.  Next week more Holmesian thoughts - including my favourite screen Holmes.  Do you have a favourite Sherlock Holmes depiction?       

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