The Power of Perspective

Do you know people who tend to see things through a singular subjective lens and have difficulty entertaining differing or opposing perspectives?

We all occasionally fall into this pattern if we are honest with ourselves. It's human nature to be subjective and think we are right.

Sometimes that's true - we can be right while others are wrong. End of story.

And a fair amount of the time, we work things out when there are differing views.

However, when our differences become obstacles, it causes problems, as we sometimes fail to step back and view things from another angle or the perspectives of others.

It's like two people standing on opposite sides of a number written on the ground; one sees a 6, and the other sees a 9. Both are correct from their respective viewpoints, yet they perceive it differently. It all depends on our perspective and the context of the situation.

I sometimes have this problem when I fail to notice that I pulled my 9-iron out of my golf bag instead of my 6-iron, or vice versa. Since I am looking at the bottom of the club while in my bag, the number I see depends on the angle I view it from. Things don't go well if I fail to notice the difference in the club's loft angle when lowering the clubhead to the ground, which offers me a different perspective.

So, have you ever considered how your circumstances, outcomes or life experiences might change or improve if you were more aware of and actively considered and explored differing perspectives of a person, issue or situation?

Why People Fail to See Things from Another Angle

While we are all entitled to our opinions or viewpoints, if our approach is purely subjective, we overlook other possibilities by failing to challenge our perspectives through self-reflection or our empathic ability to perceptively "walk in someone else's shoes."

Subjectivity can also lead us to listen without gaining understanding - that is, if we listen to the perspectives of others at all.

Furthermore, some may preemptively discount our thoughts or feelings, or we may be discouraged or prohibited from expressing an opinion or viewpoint in certain circumstances or with certain people.

Based on my business, coaching and life experience, differing perspectives and a lack of mutual understanding are often the common denominators that create misunderstandings, disagreements, or conflicts between people.

Many likely think this goes without saying because we all have differing backgrounds, experiences, mental/emotional makeup, and abilities, including differing motives or objectives.

But if we accept the premise that people will have differing viewpoints, then what inhibits us from bridging the gap between differing viewpoints that create chasms between people?

Some reasons might include -

• Clouded judgment due to strong emotions like anger, frustration or hurt.
• Fear of change, judgment, blowback, or fear of losing face or status due to pride or ego.
• An inclination or bias favoring specific thoughts, information, or actions that align with or confirm pre-existing beliefs or those of "group think."
• The rejection of thoughts or information that conflict with existing beliefs as the goalposts are moved to fit one's circumstances due to cognitive dissonance.
• An inability to connect with the thoughts and feelings of others due to self-centeredness or lack of empathy.
• A lack of trust, a lack of information or the presence of misinformation.
• An imbalance in power with one party dominating interactions or positions of authority or control that limit open dialogue.
• Conflicting goals, competing interests or zero-sum thinking.

Proverbs 18:17 says, "The person who tells one side of a story seems right, until someone else comes and asks questions." (NCV)

I think the following can also be true, “A person who offers their perspective seems right, until someone else comes and asks questions.”

However, I've learned that subjective individuals with preconceived notions or who are closed-minded or dogmatic often dislike or resist being questioned.

How to Improve Our Ability to See Things from Another Angle

To overcome these barriers, we must actively pursue a mindset or environment where differing perspectives are welcomed, sought out, and valued.

Here are some steps to consider -

• ➢ Develop or Refine Emotional Intelligence Skills - improve self-awareness, emotional self-regulation, empathy, and social skills.
• ➢ Encourage Open Dialogue - employ a mindset or create a group culture that values sharing perspectives.
• ➢ Actively Listen - listen to understand, ask clarifying questions, and restate to ensure comprehension.
• ➢ Challenge Thought/Mindset – employ or encourage critical thinking and self-reflection to question personal preferences, assumptions and biases.
• ➢ Seek Diverse Perspectives - engage with people from different backgrounds, viewpoints, and levels of expertise and knowledge.
• ➢ Educate and Inform - provide accurate, comprehensive information to all parties.
• ➢ Balance Power Dynamics - ensure equitable participation in discussions and decision-making.
• ➢ Focus on Common Goals - highlight shared objectives and values to find common ground and encourage collaboration.

While I cannot recall the exact source of the following statement and believe that disagreement can still occur between reasonable, equally informed people, I have long sought to follow what I interpret to be its underlying principle -

"Reasonable people, equally informed, seldom disagree."

How Coaching Can Help

One of the most valued "takeaways" my clients often mention at the end of a coaching meeting is gaining new perspectives on challenging issues they bring to coaching.

So, why might this be true so often?

The coaching process offers a confidential, non-judgmental, and unbiased space for reflective thinking about real-time decisions, issues, problems, or opportunities. It encourages deeper reflection and mindset shifts through incisive questions and observations, helping to clarify thoughts, broaden perspectives, and identify blind spots. This approach opens the door to fresh thinking, creativity, and ideation.

Final Thoughts

By having the courage to take the steps mentioned above and the humility to seek wise counsel or coaching, we can begin to bridge the gaps created by differing perspectives, facilitating greater understanding and collaboration and ultimately achieving better outcomes. Embracing the power of perspective enriches our lives and strengthens our relationships, communities, and organizations.

After all, seeing things from another angle can truly change everything.

"If there is any one secret of success, it lies in the ability to get the other person's point of view and see things from
that person's angle as well as from your own." – Henry Ford, Founder of the Ford Motor Company