Scale Of Tolerance

The Scale of Tolerance is an academic tool which explains the five levels of person-to-person relationships. “Others” means those whom you perceive as too different from you and possibly less human than you are.

1. REPULSION

In the repulsion stage, Others are offensive. You distance yourself. You treat those who repulse you as objects instead of humans. Leaders use angry rhetoric and fear mongering against the Others and suggest punitive actions. Their rhetoric creates a mob mentality of hatred and fosters an environment
where hate becomes actionable.
Ethical leadership is not possible at this stage.

2. AVOIDANCE

Avoidance is better than repulsion, in that the rhetoric is not there. There is still clear intent from the leader to distance themselves from these individuals, and the leader wishes to have as little to do with these individuals as possible. In this stage, the Other is still treated as object* vs. human.
Effective leadership is not possible at this stage.

3. TOLERANCE

People who are tolerant believe that all others should be treated respectfully. At the same time, they are not comfortable with people different than themselves, and usually harbor feelings of judgment towards them. This is the first stage where human treatment instead of object treatment can occur.
Effective leadership is possible, but not optimal at this stage.

4. ACCEPTANCE

You accept people as you understand them to be, and ignore the differences between you. Those differences don’t matter to you and don’t bother you. You have no negative judgment toward others and treat all with equality. At this stage, there is intentional human treatment vs. object treatment.
This is the first stage where ethical, effective leadership is viable.

5. APPRECIATION

From this perspective, diversity and difference add value to everything. This attitude helps reveal blindspots in thinking, planning, and decision making, as you are open to seeing things as others do. You enjoy being around others because of their differences, as you recognize the value their perspectives and
experiences bring to you.
This is the optimal stage for ethical, effective leadership.

*Object treatment, or objectification, is the perception of Others as objects or resources. The ability and will to see the Other as a human, and more so a person, is absent. Thus, their status, pain, and desires are irrelevant, and empathy for them does not exist. Human treatment sees the Other as a whole person, worthy of empathy.