W.I.N. Wednesday: The Power of Perspective

“Our perspective is the only thing in life that can significantly influence the outcome without changing the facts.”

Zach Brandon, MLB Mental Performance Coach

Two or more people can look at the same situation, the same facts and have completely different opinions and responses based on their individual perspectives. Those perspectives influence their attitudes, beliefs and behaviours. As a result they can be in the same situation, perceive it differently, respond differently and have different outcomes.

Two people can be facing the same challenging situation, but because of opposing perspectives one will adopt the victim mentality and the other will see the opportunities, take responsibility for their actions and rise about the challenges. 

Differing perspectives often result in debates, arguments, name calling, and confrontation. You do not have to look very far in today’s world to see examples of this. 

Try this exercise. Print off the number 6 in large print on a piece of paper. Place it on the ground at your feet so when you look down you see 6. Now have someone stand facing you and have them look down and tell you what they see. They will say a 9. You can argue with them, tell them they are wrong all day and nothing will change. If you simply move to where they are at in order to understand their perspective you will also see the 9. Your movement in an effort to understand their perspective may inspire them to move to where you were standing to understand your perspective. When they do they will see a 6. The result is likely that both of you will say something to the effect of, “I understand now how you could see it that way. I hadn’t considered that perspective.” It does not mean that either of you were wrong or the other was right. It does mean that you both now have a greater understanding of the other person’s perspective.

It is easy to get locked into our own perspective and fail to consider other perspectives. I fall into this trap on a regular basis. It requires that you be intentional about seeking to understand other people’s perspectives. You don’t have to agree with their perspective; you do need to seek to understand it. If we all did this is it possible there would be less conflict in the workplace and in our lives? 

What’s Important Now? Remember that your perspective is simply one perspective. Seek to understand other perspectives. 

Take care.

Brian Willis

www.lifesmostpowerfulquestion.com. 

ONE QUESTION BRINGING FOCUS AND CLARITY IN THE CHAOS AND COMPLEXITY OF TODAY'S WORLD.

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