It’s All About Perspective

This weekend my wife and I watched the movie “Vantage Point” a fast-paced action flick based on a plot to assassinate the President of the United States while he is attending a conference on combating global terrorism in Spain. As the scheme unfolds the story is rewound to the same 12:00 P.M. time and the scene is viewed again through the eyes of a different character. Only after all of the vantage points are revealed does the complete narrative take shape and the movie culminates with a spectacular finish.

Most leaders see only a portion of what is happening in their organizations. Some seem to purposely ignore the obvious signs of distress and make decisions that cause even greater damage. Others seek advice from only those most likely to tell them what they want to hear. A few leaders are wise enough to take time and ask those closest to the production lines, the call centers, and the customers what they would like to see happen.

Decisions made in a vacuum, or with only partial information, can be deadly in today’s volatile business environment. If customers have no voice, or we ignore their concerns often enough, they will take their business elsewhere. When employees are feeling anxious or angry, and management offers no opportunities for dialogue or feedback, productivity will suffer. Even top management will experience isolation and loneliness when the choice is made to view reality from only their perspective.

Problem solving requires that different behavioral styles, personalities, interests, talents, skills, and experiences are in the room together. If any voice is purposely or inadvertently silenced the results may prove disastrous. NASA learned this awful lesson when they dismissed the evidence that foam from the solid rocket boosters was hitting the Challenger spacecraft’s fragile ceramic tile covered wings. While they knew it was happening they ignored their own safety standards and believed the damage was minimal at best. That lack of perspective (ignoring a culture of safety to meet other mission objectives) cost the lives of the entire crew.

Depending on whom you speak with, our economy is in shambles and only the federal government can rescue it. Yet every day millions of Americans keep the country working and our businesses producing goods and services. Where is the perspective that innovative ideas and thinking could rescue us from our malaise? Whose voice is inviting us to see the possibilities and opportunities that always accompany challenges?

Perspectives matter and it is your vantage point that shapes the story. Leaders need to see every angle and imagine all of the options before a decision is made. The failures and mistakes of the past offer valuable insights as well. So if you are a leader facing challenging times perhaps the best thing you can do is leave your corner office and gain a new perspective of your reality. You just might turn your new vantage point into an advantage for your business.