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Perspective

How accurately do your perceptions map to other perspectives?

People interpret reality to fulfil their own narratives. Practice sitting in the shoes of the person opposite you. People mostly just want to belong and feel understood. Invest time with more knowledgable others to review and objective vs subjective thinking patterns.

  • Objective: The world as it is, independent of personal feelings or opinions.
  • Subjective: Personal feelings, tastes, or opinions.
Mantra

Reality leaves a lot to the imagination - John Lennon

Concepts​

Context​

Practice​

Detach emotionally to float above the scene to take in a broader picture.

Capture data to broaden your perspective and deepen expertise. The more you know, the more you can see. From 10,000 feet observe the world with curious detachment to build up an objective picture of the situation.

  1. Shift from perception to perspective:
    • Perception is your unique interpretation of the world, while perspective involves observing the world from outside yourself.
    • Moving from perception to perspective gives you an informational advantage.
  2. Practice "sitting in someone else's shoes":
    • Try to understand what others' lives are like, their feelings, fears, and stressors.
    • This approach provides superior information and positioning.
  3. Apply perspective-taking broadly: Use this technique with your boss, spouse, children, and others to improve relationships and outcomes.
  4. Go beyond empathy:
    • While empathy focuses on understanding feelings, perspective encompasses both emotions and logical thinking.
    • Consider others' aspirational goals, life experiences, and future actions.
  5. Anticipate and influence actions: By understanding someone's perspective, you can better predict and potentially guide their actions.
  6. Foster connection and community:
    • Perspective-taking helps validate others' experiences and creates a sense of shared understanding.
    • This fulfils people's desire for connection and community.
  7. Practice presence and validation:
    • Acknowledge and be present with others, regardless of empathy or feelings.
    • This creates powerful, intimate connections in various contexts.
  8. Recognize the uniqueness of perspective: Most people are trapped in their own perceptions, so adopting a perspective-taking approach gives you a distinct advantage.

Benefit​

The value of gaining better perspective:

  1. Improved relationships: It can transform personal and professional relationships.
  2. Career advancement: It provides an edge in the workplace and can change your career trajectory.
  3. Conflict resolution: It helps in winning arguments and resolving disagreements.
  4. Enhanced understanding: It allows for a deeper comprehension of others' motivations and actions.
  5. Competitive advantage: It provides superior information and positioning in various situations.
  6. Personal growth: It broadens one's understanding of the world and different viewpoints.
  7. Effective communication: It enables more impactful and persuasive interactions.
  8. Strategic thinking: It enhances the ability to anticipate and influence others' actions.