People are on edge, and it’s taking its toll on their capacity to adapt to current circumstances.

Not everything can be helped, but we do have the capacity to release a large chunk of the tension that’s getting in our way, and it starts with finding common ground.

Steve Siebold says that great leaders ‘operate on objective reality (also known as FACTS).” They may not like that reality, but the acknowledge it for what it is and do their best to accept in and adapt accordingly.

In an effort to find common ground during times of crisis and divisiveness, here are ten rules upon which all rational people should agree, and in doing so become less entrenched, less stressed, and happier.

(Avoid arguments with those who refuse to accept these ten rules. You won’t get anywhere with them)

1. Facts are verifiable. If it can’t be verified, it’s not a fact. Therefore, if someone refutes a claim, the appropriate response is not to say that person doesn’t accept facts but to show evidence. You should welcome the opportunity to substantiate a claim and be willing to find that you’re wrong.
2. Facts are generated from a preponderance of evidence. Therefore, some credence should be given when a majority of experts agree upon a fact. Not that fewer people can’t discover a contrarian fact but the burden of proof lies with those who disagree with the majority of experts.
3. Experts don’t make facts up; they arrive at them through a process. Therefore, anyone making a claim to a fact must be able to present their process. We should demand this from all experts.
4. Facts trump opinions. If presented with a fact that disagrees with your opinion, you should be willing to change your opinion; not the fact. Granted, you have the right to question the authenticity of a claim, but once verified, you no longer have the right to deny the fact.
5. Facts are non-partisan. There are no Democratic and Republican facts. There are no Conservative and Liberal facts. Facts are by definition the foundation of our reality and must therefore receive respect in every disagreement.
6. Different conclusions may come from the same set of facts, but must not disregard or ignore those facts. “Given the facts, here’s what I think is best” is a defensible statement. “I don’t care what the facts are. This is the way it is” is not a defensible statement.
7. Facts are measurable. Vague representations without evidence are not facts. “Hundreds if not thousands of doctors believe…” is vague, unverifiable, and therefore not a fact.
8. Facts are not convenient. Whether or not a fact complicates your life, it’s no less a fact.
9. Facts require expertise. When we cast aspersions on those experts who have dedicated their lives to seeking truth, so we may operate on unverifiable claims, we’re being fundamentally dishonest and practicing “confirmation bias,” the willful filtering of facts to match our views.
10. Facts demand respect. We as a society must constantly be fighting our urge to fit the facts to suit our beliefs, but rather we should guard against feeding ourselves on diets of unverifiable information in order to justify our beliefs.

If we are to thrive as individuals, as business professionals, and as a society, we must question all claims, whether or not they support our point of view, seek the truth, and be willing to modify our beliefs based upon new evidence.

If we start embracing facts (objective reality). we may just adapt and excel in this strange and uncertain time.

Just a thought! (what do you think?)