Discernment
(Lesson 3)
Context:
In this our final lessons we’ll review we’ll review two additional ways to develop discernment and especially in our AI era.
Developing Discernment
3. Gather & Evaluate Information Effectively
Discernment starts with how you gather and process information. Research broadly by seeking out multiple, reliable sources before forming an opinion.
So many people today don’t take the time to research what they hear. In the workplace, this can be especially devastating when major decisions or actions are made without first verifying information, checking accuracy, or comparing multiple sources.
Compare facts, not headlines. As you sort through information, practice filtering signal from noise—focus on what’s credible and relevant, and set aside what’s misleading or emotionally charged. Learning to do this helps you make decisions based on truth, not trends.
Developing Discernment
4. Seek Input and Feedback
Discernment grows stronger when you invite other perspectives. Collaboration with trusted colleagues, mentors, or friends helps you see what you might miss on your own—but only if you’re willing to listen with an open mind.
Actively seek feedback—not just from those who agree with you or support your point of view, and not only when things go wrong, but as a regular part of how you make decisions. Listening to others—especially those with more experience or knowledge on the subject—can help refine your judgment and build humility, confidence, and wisdom over time.
Discernment In The Age of AI
In the past, people were told to “believe what they see.” That’s no longer enough. With today’s technology, anyone can use AI to generate realistic images, videos, or voices that look and sound completely authentic—but aren’t. Text-to-video, video-to-video, and image-to-video tools can recreate someone’s likeness and even sync speech to make it appear they said things they never did. These deepfakes are becoming easier to create and harder to detect, allowing bad actors to spread false information, damage reputations, or manipulate public opinion.
Discernment keeps technology a tool—not a trap.
That’s why discernment matters more now than ever. Before accepting what you see or share online, take a moment to verify it.
Ask: Who posted this? Where did it come from? Has it been confirmed by reliable sources?
AI can amplify creativity and solve real problems—but in the wrong hands, it can also deceive, divide, or exploit. Learning to question, cross-check, and think critically isn’t just a good habit—it’s essential protection in an era where seeing is no longer believing.
In the workplace, discernment protects both your reputation and your organization. With AI tools generating reports, emails, and even marketing materials, it’s easy for misinformation or fabricated content to slip through. Employees and leaders alike must evaluate what’s real, what’s accurate, and what’s ethically sound before acting or sharing. Discernment helps you verify facts, question sources, and ensure that technology supports integrity rather than undermining it.
Excercise
Context doesn’t excuse poor behavior, but it helps explain it—and that understanding can guide a wiser, fairer response.
In the picture above, a team lead is meeting with a team member who has been late the past week and hasn’t completed all her assignments recently.
If you were the team lead, what questions would you ask to better discern the situation before taking action?
Developing Discernment
2. Separate Conviction from Context
Strong convictions give direction and purpose, but without discernment, they can harden into judgment. Your convictions may come from deeply held beliefs, your culture, or past experiences—all of which shape how you see the world.
It’s important to hold firm to your values while still considering the circumstances that shape someone’s actions. You can disagree without condemning, and correct without shaming.
With empathy, discernment allows you to create space to see things from another perspective—theirs.
This aspect of discernment will be invaluable in building and maintaining relationships—both on the job and in life.
Metacognitive Assignment
How are you doing with your metacognitive task this week? Were you able to identify anyone in your life that you may have misjudged? Did you need to use discernment with any of your friends to better understand who they really are—or why they acted the way they initially did?
Also, take notice of how easy or difficult it is for you to see things from someone else’s point of view, especially when you completely disagree.
Thought of the day.
Don’t believe everything you think.