Perspective - How it Propels Visionary Leadership

A visionary leader sees something that others can't.  Often as people are sharing their vision with others, it is shot down because they can't see what the visionary can see.  There is always a strong opinion of who is right and who is wrong, and there is only one way to look at everything.  It is so fascinating to understand perspective, both from your own and others.  I have had several very powerful examples that demonstrate and remind me that there is more than one way to look at things, and don't allow yourself to get sidetracked or discouraged by what others can't see, and, when others CAN see something you can't, be open to see their perspective.

My husband and I were driving in the evening during a rain storm recently, he was driving.  He had the wipers on the delay setting.  I was having such a hard time seeing....everything was such a blur from the rain.  I kept suggesting he turn the wipers onto a higher speed so we could see better.  He kept insisting he could see fine.  About an hour into the ride, after nagging him about the ability to see clearly,  I actually looked through his side of the glass. It was perfectly clear, and mine had sort of a film across it.  It was the same piece of glass, and we were sitting about a foot apart.  We were both experiencing a totally different view, looking out the same window, seeing two different things.

Another time we were on a houseboat.  I saw some boats come into the little cove we were stopped at.  My husband insisted there were no other boats there.  I could clearly see the other boats, and he couldn't.  Again we were standing about a foot apart.  As it turned out, what I saw was a reflection from the water onto the window, and the boats were actually behind us, not in front as it appeared.  From where he was standing, the reflection was not showing.

Who was right and who was wrong?  Well from each of our perspectives we were both right.  It is a reminder that there is always more than one perspective to take into consideration.  When my husband was driving through the rain, it was important for him to hold his vision of what he could see with his eyes...and not be swayed by  what I could see from my perspective.  He could see it with his eyes, however, sometimes it is the vision in our minds that we have to clearly see and hold on to.  

When you are looking to create something that you can see as a visionary leader, understand it is part of the process to receive "well meaning" advice from people around you that believe what they see or believe is correct.  Your vision of what is possible may not be within their perspective yet, and they will attempt to change your mind or discourage you, instilling their perspective on you.  It's important as a visionary leader to consider other's perspectives, but at the same time,understand that the vision you can see may not be within the vision of those around you.....yet.  Your job is to see your vision through without being discouraged or giving up on the vision you have.

Debbie Ruston has been an entrepreneur and trainer since 1986. She works with individuals, and groups interested in developing their entrepreneurial leadership mindset. Was this article of value to you? Feel free to share it on your social networks and with your contacts, join in the discussion below, and FOLLOW her on the top right corner of this page.
​
Debbie's also on:
FB
Twitter
YouTube
Pinterest
G+https://plus.google.com/+DebbieRuston-TheSuccessEducatorAnd now on iTunes

As published on LI:  https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/perspective-how-propels-visionary-leadership-debbie-ruston

---