When it comes to leadership, perspective is incredibly important. However, to gain that perspective, as leaders, we need to take a step back to gain perspective on a situation, detach ourselves and see the whole picture so we can work on solutions.
Here are four action-oriented methods I use to gain perspective:
- Method 1 – Get physical distance from the problem – Physically get away from the situation in order to gain a fresh perspective. Pause, unwind, go for a walk, take a shower, or get a workout in. This will help clear your head and allow you to approach the problem with new eyes.
- Method 2 – Talk to someone not directly involved in the situation – Talking through a problem with another person can help you see it from different angles. Taking time to articulate a problem with others causes us to look at things more objectively. Additionally, you will open yourself to objective feedback from someone who isn’t as close to the situation.
- Method 3 – Imagine the problem solved – When you’re struggling to find a solution, it can be helpful to imagine what it would look like if you already solved the problem. This visualization can give you some clues about how to get started on finding a resolution.
Method 4 – Ask yourself what you would do if someone else was in this situation – We tend to enjoy advising others, so change your point of view. Ask yourself how you would handle a situation if you were advising someone else. You will shift from problem mode to solution mode.
