Perspective

Sometimes keeping proper perspective is a matter of examining things through others point of view.  Things look very differently from the bottom looking up than they do from the top looking down.  This is important for managers to keep in mind when they interact with those below, or above, them in a corporate structure.  It is something every employee should consider.

The same could also be said for perspective based on age.  A child sees the world very differently from a teenager who sees it very differently from a young adult and so on until you, hopefully, see the world from the point of the aged who have a wealth of experience from which to draw that has helped to shape their view of things.  Growth and the passage of time changes how one views people, places, things and events.

Wealth is relative, but it also can change ones perspective.  If you are struggling to put food on your table you see the world very differently from someone who can't spend in a year what they make in a day.  Yes, there really are people who have that kind of money; they have no concept of poverty yet, they are often the ones who dictate policy.

When dealing with others, it is important that we take the time to try and understand their perspective.  Doing so has been one of the most valuable things I learned through the years.  It has served me well in management, in sales and in life.  I have to admit that I have not always been successful in my attempt to understand other perspectives, but the effort has always been rewarding.  People respect you for trying if done sincerely.

Conflict sometimes is the result of a failure to understand other perspectives.  When you find yourself in a situation where you are in disagreement with others, spend time seeking to understand their perspective.  Generally it will provide insight into why your views are different and sometimes even provide a pathway to resolving those differences.

The image at the top of this page was taken from an old bridge looking down into the water below at the reflection of the sky above.  In this single image there are three perspectives represented.  The first is from the bridge looking downward.  The second is from the water looking upward.  The third is less obvious, but it is from the bridge looking upward via the reflection in the water.

I think the lesson from the image is that we all will see more clearly if we focus upward.  If we keep our eyes on the Father we aren't looking down on anyone and we all will see essentially the same thing.

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." -- Hebrews 12:2