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How do you separate facts from opinions when working through a challenge?
How do you separate facts from opinions when working through a challenge?
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8 answers
PwC Impact
823
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
Firstly be aware that you have blind spots (biases you’re not really aware of) and natural opinions on everything - that’s a function of your personal experience.
Secondly, make sure you really listen to and understand the problem - often we have a tendency to not really hear the whole problem, we jump to solutions too quickly.
Thirdly, try and think about why the information came in the way it did - and recognize that selectivity of facts is in itself a form of opinion.
Once you do that - you have a better chance of not only understanding the fact vs. opinion, but also of giving your best answer of what is really behind the challenge.
Good luck!
Secondly, make sure you really listen to and understand the problem - often we have a tendency to not really hear the whole problem, we jump to solutions too quickly.
Thirdly, try and think about why the information came in the way it did - and recognize that selectivity of facts is in itself a form of opinion.
Once you do that - you have a better chance of not only understanding the fact vs. opinion, but also of giving your best answer of what is really behind the challenge.
Good luck!
PwC Impact
823
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
- I spend time in self-reflection to understand what my opinion is vs. the facts I’ve received. Once I have understood my own delineation, I explicitly state which is which to my audience.
- Understand the facts as they are, but don’t forget that often you have to address others’ opinions first, then address the facts.
- Try to leave your emotions out of the discussion and focus on the task at hand
- Understand the facts as they are, but don’t forget that often you have to address others’ opinions first, then address the facts.
- Try to leave your emotions out of the discussion and focus on the task at hand
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
854
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
It is very important to not make assumptions about anything. Trying to understand both sides of the situation can be paramount in making good choices.
I often tell my team that I will make the best decision with the information available and if it turns out that decision was wrong, we will address it. Regardless of what I think, I’ll never be perfect 🤷🏽♂️🥳
I often tell my team that I will make the best decision with the information available and if it turns out that decision was wrong, we will address it. Regardless of what I think, I’ll never be perfect 🤷🏽♂️🥳
cassandra Harris
Social / Emotional learning Teacher
42
Answers
Tucson, Arizona
Updated
cassandra’s Answer
When working through a challenge, it helps to pause and ask yourself a few key questions:
1. Look for evidence. Facts can be supported with proof—like data, past experiences, or things you can observe. Opinions are based on feelings, beliefs, or perspectives. If something can be measured, tested, or confirmed by more than one source, it’s likely a fact.
2. Check the source. Consider where the information is coming from. Reliable sources usually provide facts backed up with evidence. Opinions often come through in personal statements like “I think,” “I feel,” or “In my experience.”
3. Separate emotions from information. It’s natural to feel strongly when facing a challenge, but emotions can color the way we see things. Try to identify what’s objectively true versus what’s influenced by your reaction or someone else’s perspective.
4. Use both, but differently. Facts help you understand the situation clearly. Opinions (yours or others’) can help you see possible solutions or understand how people are impacted. The key is not to confuse the two.
5. Double-check. If you’re unsure whether something is a fact, do a quick check—ask questions, look for evidence, or get a second opinion.
cassandra recommends the following next steps:
PwC Impact
823
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
PwC’s Answer
- Be open minded to ascertain the facts; do not be wed to your theory as to what happened. People often shade the truth. Pressure test people’s memories and be open minded when another version of the facts comes up.
- Ensure you’re gathering a comprehensive data set from multiple sources to ensure content aggregation removes unintended biases.
- One thing I always try to remember is that in many situations the actual truth doesn’t matter because it is how people feel that matters. We can spend a lot of time arguing about what actually happened but we are often better off talking about how we will acting forward and how we will treat one another.
- Ensure you’re gathering a comprehensive data set from multiple sources to ensure content aggregation removes unintended biases.
- One thing I always try to remember is that in many situations the actual truth doesn’t matter because it is how people feel that matters. We can spend a lot of time arguing about what actually happened but we are often better off talking about how we will acting forward and how we will treat one another.
Shahana Masood
Global Procurement Leader
3
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Shahana’s Answer
When you're working through a challenge, ask yourself:
Can this be proven?
If yes — it's a fact. If not — it's likely an opinion.
Facts come with data, documents, or system records.
Opinions are based on personal views or feelings.
Words like “best,” “worst,” “unfair” usually signal opinion.
When in doubt, check policies, reports, or contracts to confirm.
Keeping this in mind helps us stay objective and make solid decisions.
Can this be proven?
If yes — it's a fact. If not — it's likely an opinion.
Facts come with data, documents, or system records.
Opinions are based on personal views or feelings.
Words like “best,” “worst,” “unfair” usually signal opinion.
When in doubt, check policies, reports, or contracts to confirm.
Keeping this in mind helps us stay objective and make solid decisions.
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7090
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Career Village Office Hours!
Confirm the research evidence by doing academic searches online. ResearchGate is one source. You do not want a site that aims to make money by the sales of products! Ignore sensationalist sites and use the Internet like a huge reference library.
Yes, we need experts in our chosen fields! How do we get hyper-educated like them? We can do a higher degree like a Masters or a Doctorate , but have we qualified for a professor status, knowing a topic inside-out? We can go to search engines like PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ to get the lowdown!
Unlike many commercial sites, they will have factual health information, not hyped-up sales pitches! Cause-and-effect stuff, not half-facts or fantasy! Insert your search terms and research these. It is usually substance and effect. As an example, you can do a search on the unsaturated 'tocotrienol' compounds [alpha, beta, gamma, and delta]. Add the search term 'cancer'.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30717416/ [Aggarwal V, Kashyap D, Sak K, Tuli HS, Jain A, Chaudhary A, Garg VK, Sethi G, Yerer MB. Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Tocotrienols in Cancer: Recent Trends and Advancements. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Feb 2;20(3):656. doi: 10.3390/ijms20030656. PMID: 30717416; PMCID: PMC6386883.].
GOD BLESS!
Confirm the research evidence by doing academic searches online. ResearchGate is one source. You do not want a site that aims to make money by the sales of products! Ignore sensationalist sites and use the Internet like a huge reference library.
Yes, we need experts in our chosen fields! How do we get hyper-educated like them? We can do a higher degree like a Masters or a Doctorate , but have we qualified for a professor status, knowing a topic inside-out? We can go to search engines like PubMed https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/ to get the lowdown!
Unlike many commercial sites, they will have factual health information, not hyped-up sales pitches! Cause-and-effect stuff, not half-facts or fantasy! Insert your search terms and research these. It is usually substance and effect. As an example, you can do a search on the unsaturated 'tocotrienol' compounds [alpha, beta, gamma, and delta]. Add the search term 'cancer'.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30717416/ [Aggarwal V, Kashyap D, Sak K, Tuli HS, Jain A, Chaudhary A, Garg VK, Sethi G, Yerer MB. Molecular Mechanisms of Action of Tocotrienols in Cancer: Recent Trends and Advancements. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Feb 2;20(3):656. doi: 10.3390/ijms20030656. PMID: 30717416; PMCID: PMC6386883.].
GOD BLESS!
Sarah Duensing
Manager-Business Strategy
1
Answer
Gilbert, Arizona
Updated
Sarah’s Answer
Being able to tell facts from opinions is really important for solving problems in school and at work. Facts are true and can be checked, while opinions are what people think or feel. When you have a problem, start by collecting all the important facts. Look at the numbers, read the reports, and see what you can confirm on your own.