Pragmatic is the ability to recognize and understand how situations affect communication, facilitating a more holistic approach to understanding social interactions. It is a vital component of the communication process and is centered around helping individuals to understand how their language, actions, and behaviors impact others. Pragmatic skills are learned over time through exposure to a variety of situations and experiences, facilitated by consistent practice and feedback in the community.
This approach is often misunderstood as being pessimistic or cynical, but in reality it is about taking the most positive and productive actions possible to overcome obstacles. Being pragmatic is also about recognizing what one can and cannot control and finding solutions that are most effective given those constraints.
For example, a craftsman is working on a high scaffold and drops his hammer. He can choose to either go back down and retrieve the hammer or he can simply pick it up off of the ground where it fell, continuing his work. The craftsman is being pragmatic by weighing the pros and cons of each action and selecting one that is most beneficial to him in his current situation.
When applied to research, pragmatism provides an opportunity for more flexible investigative techniques. For instance, by viewing people’s ideas and beliefs as tools for problem-solving, pragmatism allows researchers to see how their research might be relevant in different contexts. This can help to surface themes and issues that are otherwise obscured by formal documentation or rhetoric within respondent organizations.
Additionally, pragmatism can provide an opportunity to create an iterative process that ensures that policies and practices are addressing societal needs in a practical way. This is important for ensuring that social justice initiatives are not only well-intentioned but also genuinely effective in achieving equitable outcomes.
Pragmatism can also be a powerful tool for fostering collaboration among multiple stakeholders in the community and fostering a more collaborative approach to supporting pragmatic skills. This can be achieved by encouraging open communication, active listening, and respect for diverse perspectives. Additionally, it is important to encourage individuals to be self-advocates and seek out opportunities for their interests and abilities, ensuring that they are not limited by their limitations or barriers.
Being pragmatic can be a great way to achieve success in many areas of life. However, it is important to remember that pragmatic principles should be applied with a sense of caution. Individuals should avoid overestimating their own abilities and instead strive to make realistic goals that are achievable for them. This will allow them to minimize their frustration and disappointment while increasing their chances of achieving long-term success.