Introduction
In business and regardless of what our particular roles and responsibilities are, we often must make decisions. Decisions about the best action for us to take or how to best approach a challenging situation. Decisions as to how best we should present our ideas to those we are wanting to convince to take a certain direction or how to have our input regarded and considered. And the way we ultimately choose to handle something can really contribute to the extent of our success.
There are a couple of approaches that can effectively help us to evaluate what the situation calls for and allow us to break out of our heads. They allow us to view the situation through different lenses and in so doing uncover what we determine to be the most approach appropriate to be in order to achieve our intended goal.
Two Ways to Find The Lens That Will Work Best for You In Any Situation
The first involves viewing the situation from various perspectives. If Superman or Wonder Woman were facing this situation, how would they respond in making their decision? If one were locked into a very dark closet how does this situation look and feel and what would that make you inclined to do? How would your best and most trusted friend approach the matter and what might be advantageous about that? You get the idea, I’m sure. The point is that we allow ourselves to view the situation from different perspectives and in doing so, can more easily arrive at which one or a combination of some best accomplishes our goal.
There is a second approach to accomplishing the same thing and this one allows us to see ourselves through our different looks. For those who have received and read past blogs, you must recognize me as looking in one of these two ways. They both represent the way I generally see myself for all the advantages … and disadvantages … that they might represent. Yet it’s me and the person I know the best. And yet I realize that given those I am trying to convince of something and their personalities this natural Mike may not succeed.
Presume that I have thoughts that I believe could improve the approach being used to achieve a goal of the company or department in which I work. Let’s pretend that even though I think my ideas are good and of potential value, my normal personality renders me to be quiet and defer to those with louder voices and a willingness to just ‘put it out there’. So, I recognize that I need a different perspective of myself that might allow me to become more vocal for my own good and the good of the organization. Here are some perspective-changing photo versions of me that answer the question of how ‘this’ person would handle the same situation:
- This is the BOLD and colorful me. This person is confident in his thoughts and ideas to the extent that he is willing to express them quickly and loudly to others. He has nothing to lose and may find great reception to the ideas he presents.
- This is the CONTEMPLATIVE and reserved me. He is a good listener … open to hearing and
understanding what others have to say about a given situation. He asks questions to clarify his understanding. THEN … confident that he knows where others stand, he offers his ideas that may reinforce aspects of what others have said and suggest variations that he believes will make the difference.
- Here is the CONFIDENT and COMFORTABLE me. He knows how he views this. He is willing to listen to the ideas of others and still believes there is excellent value to presenting his perspective of the situation … for the good of the organization. He sees himself as both a good listener and a spokesperson
- Here is the IN YOUR FACE me. Brash and combative, he is so determined to make his point and be
heard that he appears insensitive to the opinions of others. In fact, he is often the first one to speak his mind and is so pleased with himself that he fails to really listen and hear what others have to offer. Team player he is not.
The Benefits of A Multiple Lense View
When it comes to personality, it may be helpful to remember that there is no “best” personality type. However, learning about the diverse types of personalities may provide insight into yourself and thus, the best way for one to be. Additionally, uncovering and understanding our potential weaknesses might help us to identify areas where we can challenge ourselves to grow as people and our successes.
By working to understand and appreciate differences between how you and others approach life, you may find a powerful catalyst for personal development. When we try to understand someone else, we broaden our ability to see other ways to be. When we seek to understand something from a perspective other than our own, our mindset may become more open, and we might find greater capability for appreciating and respecting ourselves and others.
In Conclusion
In doing perspective work we have given ourselves the opportunity to see the stumbling block differently … and then we get to choose how we want to proceed by drawing upon any of the traits our ‘other’ persona offers. There is no right or wrong. Viewing any decision, we have in front of us through various perspectives is a very effective way to create the move-forward path that you believe will best work for you. Whether you step into the shoes of the Incredible Hulk or the Flying Nun … whether you are contemplative or bold … makes no difference. Doing it does truly provide a breakthrough leading to effective action. Try it! You may really like the look!
Mike Dorman
