In our Leadership Development Series "Real Managers Real Stories", we're diving into the email of a...
Sometimes, seeing the big picture is difficult when we're too close to a situation. At the same time, focusing too much on the big picture can cause us to overlook the finer details that are right in front of us. I experienced a valuable non-work reminder of this during a recent snorkeling trip with my 9-year-old daughter and brother, which unfolded into a profound lesson on perspective sharing and effective communication.
Picture this
It's a beautiful day in Mexico during the April School Vacation. My daughter, brother, and I are snorkeling off the coast of Cabo San Lucas, enjoying the beauty of the ocean. As we swim towards a large rock jutting out of the water, my brother, the avid adventurer, decides to climb up on the rock to explore. Meanwhile, my daughter and I stay in the water, waiting for our turn to climb up on the rock. We laugh and chat, and then suddenly, we see something my brother doesn't: an 850-pound sea lion watching him just a foot away. We start to yell, "Jason!" He is having so much fun scaling the rock that he doesn't realize we are trying to alert him to a potential danger.
We saw the danger from our position in the water, but conveying that to my brother proved challenging. As we called out to him, "Jason," we thought we were being clear in trying to get his attention, but shouting his name didn't capture the gravity of the situation. After all, if we saw a fire, would we call out "Jason"? No, we should say "fire." In calling his name, my brother had no idea how close he was to the sea lion, and from where he stood, everything seemed safe. It wasn't until he turned his head that he saw the sea lion, Poncho, as the residents of Cabo call him, and suddenly, he understood why we had been calling out his name. But even then, in realizing the sea lion was there, my brother remained calm and unfazed, greeting the sea lion with an "oh hey" and calmly returning to the water.
Single Point Perspective Failure
This situation highlighted the challenges of differing perspectives in a shared circumstance. My daughter and I could see the zoomed-out bigger picture, but couldn't effectively communicate what we perceived as danger. On the other hand, my brother was focused on scaling the rock, so he didn't notice the potential risk just a few feet away. While our perspective was rooted in caution, his was rooted in the experience of being present in the moment. While I worried that he would get hurt, I didn't account for his signature calm demeanor in situations like this and his ability to remain calm and retreat before Poncho would feel the need to defend his rock. No one was wrong, we just had different information inputs.
Consider how frequently this dynamic occurs in the workplace. Leaders may see the big picture but struggle to communicate the finer details to their teams. Conversely, team members may become so immersed in their tasks that they overlook the broader context. At the same time, neither has a clear understanding of the steps each wants to take to resolve the situation, and from there, disagreements arise. As we saw with my brother and the sea lion, what may seem like an imminent threat from a distance can appear manageable from the inside. The challenge is how we communicate these differing perspectives and take steps to move forward.
Key Takeaway
In business, engaging in perspective sharing is essential for effective communication within teams. This practice enables everyone to understand different viewpoints, resulting in a more comprehensive understanding of situations. Relying on a single "clear view" does not guarantee that all critical information necessary for informed decision-making is available. Different perspectives—whether focused on the big picture or on the finer details—provide valuable insights that enhance team awareness and cohesion. By encouraging those who grasp the broader context to share their insights with those who are focused on day-to-day operations, and vice versa, we help everyone navigate their roles within the larger framework.
Consider the perspectives within your own team—are you actively sharing the bigger picture with those on the front lines? Or are there key insights being missed because differing vantage points aren't being shared? Take a moment to reflect on how you can better encourage open dialogue and create opportunities for everyone to share their perspectives, so that your team can make more informed and cohesive decisions. When everyone understands the complete picture, you unlock the potential to work more effectively together and achieve greater success.
Ready to explore ways to improve team communication and perspective sharing?
