Adversarial thinking gets draining as we get older

In this article: Adversarial thinking is initially easier, but creates problems later. Cooperative thinking is much more difficult earlier, but ultimately delivers better results for everyone.

Most of our thinking is done using an adversarial logic, and this works well, because it uses the events, people and circumstances around it as fuel to push against and move forward. It's a great logic when there's limited personal identity and purpose, because that is gained through the struggle.

However it becomes challenging as we get older, because adversarial logic is for young people with lots of energy.

Cooperation then becomes preferable. But cooperation requires a new level of clarity of identity and purpose, and the ability to connect, listen, respect, hold boundaries and develop trust. It creates very different strategies, tactics and systems.

To make the shift, not only do we need to completely re-think how and why we do what we do, but we also need to remember that we live in a world where adversarial logic dominates. And in many communities, esteemed.