On Point – The Necessity of Observation and Comprehension
Do you sometimes have difficulty grasping something important when faced with a challenge, problem or issue, even though it might be hiding in plain sight?
And to make it worse, you still can't quite get it when someone points it out.
Most of us have experienced this at some point, whether due to inexperience, lack of awareness, inability to connect the dots, or simply not paying attention. It often happens when tackling new challenges, dealing with complex people-oriented issues, or becoming involved in emotionally charged situations.
Moreover, when overstressed and overwhelmed, we may make hasty decisions without the time or the patience to address the issue adequately.
However, when we fail to notice the details in the world around us (observation) or to understand and interpret the information it offers (comprehension), we often miss the big picture, the main idea or the deeper meaning of a situation, or the subtle yet critical nuances of a conversation, interaction or piece of information.
Simply put, those who fail to observe and comprehend rarely get the point.
Essential Skills/Abilities for Observing and Comprehending
So, what skills or abilities do we fail to utilize when we find ourselves in these situations?
➢ Awareness-Alertness-Focus
These terms highlight active engagement with one's surroundings. Awareness is being conscious of what is happening, alertness is a readiness to notice and respond to changes, and focus is the ability to concentrate on specific details or tasks.
It is essential to note that proper engagement of these abilities can be challenging when we primarily focus "inward" on how we feel or how things are affecting us rather than "outward" on the person, group, issue or situation.
➢ Sense-Instinct-Intuition
These are foundational aspects of perception and immediate understanding. Sense refers to perceiving the environment, instinct is the innate ability to respond to stimuli, and intuition involves a deeper, often subconscious, understanding
These abilities help us to "read the room," person or situation. However, when we fail to use them, how can we realistically expect to grasp what is happening around us?
➢ Intelligence-Diligence-Patience
These qualities emphasize the mental and emotional skills necessary for comprehension. Intelligence is the cognitive ability to understand and process information, diligence is the persistent effort to learn and understand, and patience is the ability to allow the time and space for understanding to develop fully.
In addition, many issues are people-oriented; therefore, emotional intelligence and active listening are required.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, emotional intelligence is "the capacity to be aware of, control and express one's emotions and to handle interpersonal relationships judiciously and empathetically." Collins Dictionary defines active listening as "not just to hear but to understand, interpret and evaluate what they hear."
➢ Understanding-Discernment
These are the ultimate goals of observation and comprehension. Understanding is the ability to grasp the meaning, and discernment is the ability to judge well and make insightful decisions based on that understanding.
If we have adequately employed the preceding nine skills or abilities, we are in a much better position to understand and fully discern what is happening around us.
At its core, observation and comprehension depend on our abilities to see, listen and learn.
"It is not what you look at that matters, it's what you see." - Henry David Thoreau, American essayist, poet and philosopher
"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply. Seek first to understand, then to be understood." - Stephen R. Covey, author of The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People
"If you make listening and observation your occupation, you will gain [learn] much more than you can by talk." - Robert Baden-Powell, soldier, writer and founder of the world Scouting movement
Factors that Inhibit Our Ability to Observe and Comprehend
For some, the inability to "get the point" becomes a recurring pattern while unintentionally causing more problems and affecting more people. However well- meaning, they simply cannot see the forest for the trees and need the help of others, like a coach, to process information and gain understanding.
Some contributing factors might include a lack of self-awareness or situational awareness, the absence of emotional intelligence, faulty cognitive processing, or a "me-centered" approach to life.
On the other hand, there are others who recognize the issue but choose to ignore, avoid or refuse to deal with it.
Why?
Some possible reasons might include –
- Sidestepping possible confrontations with important or challenging people.
- Shifting responsibility to others to protect a large but fragile ego or mask low self-efficacy.
- It's easier to sweep it under the rug or kick the can down the road for someone else to deal with in the future.
- Creating the appearance of taking decisive action by dealing with less contentious symptoms of a problem while avoiding more difficult root causes.
- Evading detection due to having created or participated in creating the problem in the first place.
In addition to the contributing factors cited above, character deficiencies may also inhibit effective decisions or actions.
Final Thoughts
Understanding the world around us necessitates an outward focus, alertness and awareness, coupled with the intelligent, diligent and patient use of our senses, instincts and intuition. Equally important is an inner awareness of the impact of our own tendencies, biases and emotional makeup.
Failing to properly observe and comprehend the factors at play can lead to inefficiency, ineffectiveness, division, conflict, and chaos. Therefore, it is essential to effectively use our mental faculties and cognitive abilities while overcoming negative thought processes, low self-confidence, and character flaws.
By honing our observation and comprehension skills, we can better navigate challenges, understand complex situations, and make more informed decisions. Furthermore, the ability to sense, intuit, understand, and discern while adhering to principle-centered, character-driven decision-making is a prerequisite for effective leadership.
As John C. Maxwell, bestselling author, coach and leadership expert, stated, "To lead others effectively, one must first understand them. Discernment allows a leader to see things others may not, providing a clear path to achieving goals."