The Myth of Judgment-Free Zones: Embracing Our Nature Without Crossing Lines • The Havok Journal (2024)

In our quest for open-mindedness and acceptance, we often champion the idea of creating a “judgment-free” zone. But let’s pause and think about this for a moment. The reality is that every decision we make, every opinion we form, is a judgment of some kind. Recognizing this doesn’t make us judgmental; it makes us human. The key lies in understanding the difference between judging things and blaming people and in discerning when and how to act on our judgments.

Judging vs. Being Judgmental

To judge is simply to form an opinion or conclusion about something. It’s a natural and necessary part of navigating life. Being judgmental, however, carries a negative connotation – it implies a lack of openness and often involves assigning blame or casting aspersions. The choice to be non-judgmental is, paradoxically, a judgment in itself. It’s an acknowledgment that while we can form opinions, we choose to withhold negative assessment or action based on those opinions.

When we say we won’t judge, we’re making several implicit judgments:

1. That the subject at hand could be judged.
2. That others might judge it.
3. That our decision not to judge is preferable or ‘good’.

But judging, in its essence, is neither good nor bad; it just is. What truly matters is whether we act on that judgment and how we let it influence our interactions with the world. It’s crucial to ask ourselves: Why are we judging something the way we are? What do we do with that judgment? Can our judgment change with new information?

Sense-Making and Judgment

Barry Jentz’s concept of sense-making – the truth, my truth, and my sense of the truth – beautifully encapsulates the layers of judgment. ‘The truth’ is considered an immutable fact, universally accepted. ‘My truth’ acknowledges personal conviction, immutable to oneself even in the presence of differing beliefs. ‘My sense of the truth’ reflects a belief held with openness to change, subject to new information and perspectives.

Judgment is all about this sense-making process. We judge things that don’t align with our understanding or sense-making framework. Having judgment is not inherently negative; it’s what we do with our judgment that defines its impact.

The Pitfalls of “Judgment-Free” Virtue Signaling

In recent years, the concept of creating a “judgment-free” environment has gained traction as a virtue signal, a public expression intended to demonstrate one’s good character or the correctness of one’s beliefs. While well-intentioned, this approach can inadvertently create problems by denying a natural human process and, paradoxically, passing judgment on those who hold natural judgments.

Labeling an environment as “judgment-free” often places an unrealistic expectation on individuals to suppress their natural instinct to make judgments. Judgments, in their basic form, are cognitive processes that help us make sense of the world. By stigmatizing this natural response, we risk creating an environment where people feel uncomfortable or guilty for having natural, reflexive thoughts. This discomfort can hinder open dialogue and genuine understanding, as individuals may feel compelled to hide or suppress their true thoughts for fear of being labeled judgmental.

Moreover, the “judgment-free” stance, in a twist of irony, judges individuals for their thoughts. It sends a subtle message that having judgments — which are natural and often subconscious — is inherently wrong or negative. This perspective can lead to a form of thought policing, where the emphasis is wrongly placed on vilifying thoughts instead of focusing on actions and behaviors.

While it’s crucial to recognize the naturalness of judgment, it’s equally important to be aware of how we let these judgments influence our actions. The key is not to suppress judgment but to manage how we act upon it. We should be more concerned with policing our actions, ensuring they are empathetic, inclusive, and respectful, rather than vilifying our thoughts.

However, this understanding comes with a caveat: we must be careful not to let our judgments crystallize into biases or prejudices that lead to judgmental behavior. The transition from internal judgment to external action is where the true test of character and understanding lies. We must continuously self-reflect to ensure that our actions are not unfairly influenced by unchecked or unconscious judgments.

Navigating Judgment Positively

To navigate judgment positively and live a life of acceptance, consider the following:

• Reflect Before Reacting: Take a moment to understand why you’ve formed a particular judgment. Is it based on facts, assumptions, or biases?
• Openness to Change: Be open to the idea that new information could alter your judgment.
• Reserve Blame: Distinguish between judging a situation and assigning blame to individuals.
• Empathy and Understanding: Try to see things from multiple perspectives. This can enrich your sense-making process and lead to more informed judgments.
• Action with Responsibility: If you choose to act on a judgment, do so with the awareness of its impact on others and yourself.

Judgment as a Pathway to Growth

Rather than striving for an unrealistic and counterproductive “judgment-free” environment, we should aim for a culture of thoughtful judgment. This means acknowledging our natural tendency to judge while being mindful of how we let those judgments shape our interactions and decisions. It’s about cultivating an environment where individuals feel comfortable sharing their perspectives, knowing that their thoughts are not vilified, but their actions are held to a standard of respect and empathy.

Embracing judgment in this way can be a powerful tool for growth and understanding. It allows us to make thoughtful decisions, to grow from our experiences, and to foster a more empathetic and inclusive environment. Judgment, when used wisely, is not about closing doors; it’s about opening ourselves to a deeper understanding of the world and the people in it.

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J.C. served in the U.S. Army as an infantry officer for 20 years, primarily in special operations and special missions units with more than 11 combat tours. Since retiring from the military, JC has brought his innovative and unconventional thoughts on education, leadership and resiliency into the private sector, consulting with Fortune 500 companies, the NFL, NBA, NCAA and professional sports teams including the Denver Broncos, Carolina Panthers and the Charlotte Hornets.

He holds a Masters Degree from the Naval War College and was a Senior Fellow in the Service Chief’s Fellowship at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

He has earned 3 Bronze Stars, 3 Meritorious Service Medals, a Joint Commendation Medal, and the Order of Saint Maurice. He is a Liberty Fellow, a part of The Aspen Institute and the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

As the Voice of the Veteran Community, The Havok Journal seeks to publish a variety of perspectives on a number of sensitive subjects. Unless specifically noted otherwise, nothing we publish is an official point of view of The Havok Journal or any part of the U.S. government.