Why Discernment Is A Skill Worth Developing

Posted in Personal Branding On Nov 12, 2018

In today’s onslaught of information from different sources, discerning the good from the better is not an easy task. The times of the clear-cut distinction between the good and the bad has gone. The offline world wasn’t that blurry as the online world we are sinking in at the moment. The bygone offline world had limited choices to choose from which made decision-making easy. The present online world had myriad of choices that makes every choice “looks” real while in many cases it isn’t.

What makes discernment all the more important is its main characteristic of discerning between what is good and what is better. Though sound judgement was a great tool in differentiating, it is no longer sufficient. Judgement was an analytical faculty capable of discriminating between two extremes. Now that the extremes had become interwoven, discernment is an in-depth faculty that comprises your mind’s imagination, your heart’s spontaneity , your soul’s faith.

Related: How to Welcome Change in Times of Chaos



Discernment is a holistic process not a linear one. It involves rational analysis of the pros and cons of a possibility. This part is done by your mind. But your mind isn’t enough as it goes outward not inward. The second phase in the process is to be present and attentive to how you feel towards this particular problem. A third and last phase is seeking a higher guidance from God through prayer. This decision-making process can’t be completed without asking for God’s guidance and aligning your will with God’s will.

The timeless wisdom of Stephen Covey  touches on the importance of discernment. As an imminent author of the all-time best seller book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, he stresses the need for discernment especially in these confusing times. Covey states that, “Discernment is often far more accurate than either observation or measurement.”



According to Covey and the Leadership guru, Warren Bennis, discernment cannot be taught, it must be learned. It cannot be taught by a way of seminar of retreat. It is a self-taught skill that can be cultivated through life experiences that produce real knowledge. Any other knowledge that comes from the outside is fake. Knowledge should be yours not somebody else’s.

Related: How to keep your Changeless Core in a Changing World



Having been seduced by myriad of information sources, reaching a decision becomes more complicated than ever. It’s no longer a decision based on which is good and which is bad but rather a decision the weighs today’s intricate reality. That’s why discernment is a prerequisite skill for thriving today and beyond.

About The Author

Tareq Alaghoury

Tareq M. Alaghoury is the founder and Managing Director of Holistic Communications where he offers business coaching services and guidance to aspiring entrepreneurs who want to build their brands and move their business to the next level.