The Power of Perspective: even when it feels a million miles away
I’m sitting in bed on a Saturday morning, sipping a hot cup of coffee and writing this email. Please note, it is the Saturday morning before the election. 🇺🇸
I don’t know what the heck is going to happen. 🤷
I’m sick of the political ads and lawn signs. 🏡.
And even though I believe it, I’m tired of hearing this is the most important election of our time… I heard that in 2016 and 2020. 🚫
Keep reading because this is not about politics, I promise.
It’s a reminder that we live in a world of different perspectives. What we believe to be true is based on our unique experiences and values. So it’s natural for us to feel strongly about our truth. But here’s a powerful reminder—no one has the monopoly on absolute truth. ☝️
It’s okay—important even—to be clear about your values and beliefs. That clarity grounds us. But it’s also crucial to remember that others may hold equally valid, but very different, perspectives. This idea of “multiple truths” can be challenging, especially in moments when our beliefs feel at odds with someone else.
I like to think of these multiple truths as "TRUTH GAPS" and quite frankly, in this country, it's a privilege we often overlook.
I am sure you know, that these annoying “TRUTH GAPS” love to show up in our lives regularly.
- AT WORK: You’re working on a project with a team member who envisions the end goal differently. Perhaps you're both aiming for success, but they’re focused on immediate results, while you're looking at long-term impact. They might prioritize efficiency over process, which you think is key. By the way, this is totally Jackie and me. 😬
- WITH A BOSS: You disagree with your boss on the best approach to a project. While they’re focused on minimizing risk and following tried-and-true methods, you see an opportunity to innovate and bring fresh ideas to the table. Both perspectives come from a shared desire for success, but from different vantage points—your boss may be balancing broader company goals, while you're tuned into emerging trends.
- WITH A COLLEAGUE: You’re working with a colleague who seems challenging to collaborate with—they’re quick to critique, hesitant to share resources, or simply don’t seem to be on the same wavelength. However, they may be dealing with pressures you're not fully aware of, such as a heavy workload, an upcoming deadline, or a sick parent.
Truth Gaps pop up in personal relationships too. 👀
Let me share a recent personal story. I had a deeply ingrained perspective about a close family member. I was sure I was right, frankly even righteous in my view, because I had my reasons, my evidence, and my truth. I proudly wore my badge of entitled frustration! 😤
The relationship was getting more and more strained until I had a thought.
What if I viewed this differently? What if this wasn’t a family issue but more of a leadership issue?
That simple shift—putting on my “leadership” hat—led me to take a step back and ask more questions so I could understand this person's point of view. Taking this approach I learned a lot about this person and the things they were struggling with (I had no idea!)
Once I gained a better understanding of this person’s experience, it was much easier to let go of my perspective, and I was able to support them, while holding them accountable in a way that felt supportive, not combative. 🥰
Listen, we’re all going to encounter people whose truths don’t align with ours. But with a bit of perspective, we can see the broader picture.
I understand it’s not always easy to bridge those gaps, especially when emotions run high. Still, when we try to see beyond our truths, we’re not only better leaders, but we are better humans and much happier too.
