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Looking Through the Eyes of Others

April 24, 2000

"One of the first things young artists learn is that the appearance of things changes if you stand in different places.  Depending on your point of view, or perspective, some features become exaggerated; others become hidden.  Some things clear, others clouded.  Depending on your perspective, things can even take on different meanings.  Standing atop a mountain, you see a forest, not trees.  But when you are in the forest, all you see are the trees!

We all see reality somewhat differently because we all see it from our own unique perspective.

We are keenly aware of some things that go into our perspective, especially our opinions and feelings.  We may be unconscious of others, especially our most basic assumptions.

To exercise leadership effectively we need to be more conscious of our own perspective - and its limits!  We also need to learn how to get inside the perspectives of others (Woybach, 1993, pp.149-150)".

Reference:  Woybach, R. B. (1993).  Preparing for leadership: a young adult's guide to leadership skills in a global age.  Westport CT: Greenwood Press.

Do you have the ability to see reality from others' perspectives?

Preparing for Leadership is available on loan from the OSU Leadership Center.  A complete listing of all the Leadership Center's resources is available on our website www.ag.ohio-state.edu/~leaders

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Created: 2009-01-02, Updated: 2009-01-12