Discernment

(Lesson 3)

Context:

In this final part of the lesson, we’ll look at one more way to develop discernment, and also discuss why this durable skill is especially important in the age of AI.

**Developing Discernment**

3. Cultivating Reflection
Reflection and discernment are essential because they protect us from becoming reactive in a fast-moving world. Without reflection, decisions are driven by pressure, habit, or ego rather than purpose. Without discernment, we may act quickly—but not wisely.
In the workplace, these abilities lead to wiser decisions, stronger integrity, and more thoughtful leadership. In life, they give us perspective—helping us see beyond emotion or ego to what truly matters.
Reflection sharpens awareness; discernment guides direction. Together, they shape choices that stand the test of time.

Four Steps

David Kolb, an American educational theorist, is best known for his 1984 book Experiential Learning. His model outlines a process that helps individuals reflect deeply in order to gain discernment.

Begin by examining a real experience you’ve had. Then take time to reflect on what happened and why. From that reflection, draw conclusions or lessons learned. Finally, apply what you’ve learned by testing your insights in a new situation.

Imagine your team is getting a new manager, and a coworker remarks, “All women managers are bossy and don’t listen.”

Concrete Experience: You recall your own experiences. While one or two female managers may have seemed controlling, you’ve also worked with women who were excellent listeners and collaborators.
Reflective Observation: Comparing these experiences, you notice that great managers—regardless of gender—share qualities like empathy, understanding, positivity, and trust.
Abstract Conceptualization: You realize that good leadership isn’t defined by gender but by the development of these human qualities.
Active Experimentation: Instead of adopting your coworker’s bias, you approach your new manager with openness and a willingness to cooperate.

Discernment through reflection helps you resist others’ assumptions and make your own informed, fair-minded judgments. It takes patience, logic, and self-control. But by reflecting before making a decision or taking action—by practicing discernment—you become the kind of employee who is extremely valuable in the workplace.

**Developing Discernment in the Age of AI**

**You can’t believe your eyes.**
In the past, people would say, “I won’t believe it until I see it.” Seeing it is 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 and image-to-video tools can make it appear that someone said or did 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 opinions.
That’s why discernment matters more now than ever. Before accepting or sharing what you see online, 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 and divide. Learning to question, cross-check, and think critically isn’t just wise—it’s essential protection in a world where seeing is no longer believing.

Summary

Discernment is the durable skill of seeing situations clearly, separating truth from distractions, and making wise, ethical decisions even when the answer isn’t obvious. It combines your knowledge, experience, intuition, and insight to look beyond the surface and understand what’s really happening. The question is, do you put this into practice?

In a world that is divided by differing viewpoints and beliefs, full of stereotypes and bias, and shaped by information overload and AI-generated content, discernment helps you judge what’s real, recognize unseen factors, and choose actions that lead to the best outcome for everyone involved.

Developing this durable skill makes you more trustworthy, dependable, and valuable—in school, in the workplace, and in life.