CONTINUED ….
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 she is willing to express them quickly and loudly to others. She has nothing to lose and may find great reception to the ideas she presents.
This is the CONTEMPLATIVE and RESERVED me. She is a good listener … open to hearing and understanding what others have to say of a given situation. She asks questions to clarify her understanding. THEN … confident that she knows where others stand, she offers her ideas that may reinforce aspects of what others have said and suggest variations that she believes will make the difference.
Here is the CONFIDENT and COMFORTABLE me. She knows how She views this. She is willing to listen to the ideas of others and still believes there is great value to presenting her perspective of the situation … for the good of the organization. She sees herself as both a good listener and spokesperson.
Here is the IN YOUR FACE me. Brash and combative, she is so determined to make her point and be heard that she appears insensitive to opinions of others. In fact, she is often the first one to speak her mind and is so pleased with herself that she fails to really listen and hear what others have to offer. Team player she is not.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 offer. As for my example above, the way I choose to move forward is to incorporate the traits of the CONFIDENT and COMFORTABLE me seasoned with the desire to clarify my understanding as a trait of the CONTEMPLATIVE me.
There is no right or wrong. Viewing any decisions 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 to gain different views makes no difference. Doing it does truly provide a breakthrough leading to effective action. Try it! You may really like it!