January 2024, I was exposed to extreme cold temperatures, of – 39C while on holiday in Canada. It made me think how life and business are all about perspective. I mean before yesterday, the coldest temperature I had experienced was – 29C and I can tell you that the difference of 10 degrees is profound. It made me think about leadership and how perspective makes a difference. Let me explain.
Leadership isn’t just about guiding a team, it is about viewing the world through a different lens and harnessing that perspective to achieve best results. Your most potent tool as a leader is your perspective. It influences your decisions, team dynamics and ultimately success of your business.
So how do we as leaders use their perspective to drive business results?
Embrace the environment
I can tell you that -39C is nasty but when the sun is shining and dressed correctly or sitting inside a heated room (which was me) it can also be outstandingly beautiful. As a leader embracing your environment and practising mindfulness can help you to see the beauty and the learnings from each situation.
Accept diversity of thought
Diverse perspectives will foster greater innovation. Encourage your team to share their viewpoints and thoughts openly, even if they are different from yours. Embracing diversity of thought helps to generate fresh ideas that can help propel your business forward.
Strategic decision making
A leader’s perspective plays a critical role in decision-making. By evaluating situations from multiple angles and considering long-term consequences, your decisions will be well-informed choices. Allowing consideration of greater perspectives allows you to see the bigger picture and anticipate potential challenges.
Communication and alignment
Perspective is the key to communicating a compelling vision. When you can articulate to your team in a way that they need to hear it, from their perspective, it can inspire your team to align with your goals. Effective leaders use their perspectives to create a shared vision that motivates and unites their team.
Adaptability and resilience
By being open to different perspectives, leaders with this approach are more adaptable and resilient in the face of change. They view challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation.
can help you navigate uncertainty and lead your team through transitions with confidence and greater resilience.
Empathy and understanding
It’s important to understand that a good leader’s perspective isn’t just about their viewpoint. It’s also about understanding the perspective of others. Empathy is a powerful train that allows leaders to connect with their team on a deeper level. By appreciating the viewpoint and needs of your team, you can build stronger relationships and a more cohesive team.
Motivation and inspiration
Leaders who have a clear perspective are able to motivate and inspire their team and others more effectively. When you believe in your vision, like genuinely believing in it and communicating it passionately, it energises your team. Let your perspective become a source of inspiration and motivation, driving your team to achieve exceptional results.
Conflict resolution
Conflicts are inevitable in life and business. Leaders with a well-rounded perspective are better equipped to resolve conflict. Perspective allows them to see the root cause of the conflict and find solutions that seek to satisfy all parties involved.
Building trust and credibility
Good leadership is built on trust and credibility. When your actions align with your perspective, you establish authenticity. Ensuring your actions are consistent with what you say enhances your credibility.
Continuous learning
While –29C is very cold, experiencing –39C enhanced and changed my perspective on what cold is. Our life experiences all provide opportunities to enhance our perspective and business is no different.
A leader’s perspective is never static. It evolves through experiences and continuous learning. Effective leaders embrace growth and change. They seek opportunities to expand their perspective. This commitment to self-improvement will benefit them personally and their team.
Celebrating success and learning from failure
Have you heard the saying “if you’re not failing, you’re not trying hard enough”? It’s a motivational and inspirational saying that is used to encourage people to embrace failure as a natural part of growth and innovation.
Leaders should celebrate their successes and learn from their failures. Your perspective can help you appreciate achievements and recognise areas of improvement. By recognising and analysing both triumphs and setbacks you can guide and inspire your team towards even greater successes.
Leadership is fundamentally tied to perspective. Your viewpoint shapes your leadership style, your decisions, and your ability to inspire and motivate others. As a leader, recognise the significance of your perspective, embrace diversity and use it as a powerful tool to drive outstanding results for your business. Leadership isn’t just about what you do, it’s about how you see the world and how you help others to see it too.
And, if you ever get a chance to experience – 39C, I can highly recommend it but be sure to have the right clothes so that you can enjoy the experience and not freeze to death.
