Perspective is like a pair of glasses. It shapes the way we see the world, understand our experiences, and even respond to challenges. Sometimes, life hands us big moments that naturally shift our view, like taking a new job, moving to a new place, experiencing the joy of welcoming a child, or celebrating a personal achievement that makes you feel unstoppable. These events can be eye-opening, helping us see things in ways we never expected.
But you don’t need a major life change to gain fresh perspectives. Often, it’s the everyday connections with others that really help us grow. Think about it, when you talk to someone and hear how they see or interpret something familiar, it can be like flipping on a light switch. Conversations, sharing ideas, and even hearing someone’s unique take on the same situation you’re facing can unlock new ways of thinking. It’s all about opening yourself up to learning from others.
Recently I was conducting my final conversation with a coaching client, and I like to ask the question “How would you describe your coaching experience to a friend of co-worker?”
Since coaching is so unique to the individual, for me that question provides new insights and perspectives about my own coaching practice and how I can better support my clients during the process.
Her answer gave me just that. She said that as a new Vice President in her company, the challenges that she faces can at times appear all encompassing and almost overwhelming. At that level you can’t very well share any of those thoughts and feelings with your team and those inside the organization. When she tried to discuss her experiences with friends and people outside the organization, the feedback she received was “Maybe you should quit and find a new job.”
First of all, that’s not how high performers are wired. They don’t quit or back down from a challenge and she didn’t want to leave the organization that she loved so much and put so much time and effort into being successful.
What she shared with me was how much she valued that in our coaching conversations about the challenges and obstacles she faced, was they didn’t focus on her leaving or changing companies, they focus on her changing her approach to the job and how she dealt with it.
While I’m aware that my coaching practice is about looking inward and making internal Quarter Turns, so that you can apply them externally, it’s the way that she shared her experience with her coaching engagement that gave me a completely new perspective. I can now utilize this new understanding in my coaching practice with others when they experience that similar feeling of being overwhelmed or not living up to the expectations of the job. It’s not the job or the company, it’s how your approach it that can truly make the difference.
I’m extremely fortunate to get to work with so many high performing individuals and gain the knowledge of their unique perspectives.
So, how can you start gaining new perspectives in your daily life?
- Connect with people who have different backgrounds or interests.
- Pick up a book that challenges your usual way of thinking, or dive into a culture you’re curious about.
- Listen to a new podcast on your way into work.
- Simply asking a question like, “How do you see this?” can lead to surprising and meaningful insights.
- Find someone within your organization you really admire and invite them to lunch or a coffee.
These little steps not only broaden how you see the world but also help you understand yourself better.
Changing your perspective isn’t about giving up what you believe, it’s about adding more layers to your understanding. By embracing new ideas and letting others inspire you, you’ll find yourself growing in ways you never imagined. Sometimes, all it takes is listening a little closer and being open to the possibilities.
Until next time
Cheers to you and your continued growth and success
One Quarter Turn at a Time
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