Sometimes the best solution is right in front of us, but we are too close to see it. Sometimes it is because of relationships, and sometimes it is just because of our own egos. Education leaders know how to remove themselves from a situation and observe it from multiple perspectives before they make a decision.
Finding your perspective
I am not saying that this is easy, but it isn’t hard either. When I find myself in this position, I like to leave the office and spend a couple of hours at one of my favorite parks. Why, because since I was a little child, I have always found that being in nature calms my mind. Once I am completely centered, I begin the process of looking at the problem from as many perspectives that I can think of, and 9 times out of 10, I find a definitive solution to the problem.
9 times of 10 isn’t bad, but it’s still not 100%. So when I can’t find a definitive solution on my own, I call up some of my most trusted advisors and ask for their opinion. I know that since they are detached from the situation, their perspective is pure. By the time I talk to a couple of them, I can isolate a solution to the problem. Now its time to put my plan into action.
Perspective is a very powerful leadership tool. It allows us to isolate the potential pros and cons of a situation or to find the right solution to a problem. It allows us to make the most important decisions look easy. One this is for sure, you can’t be a great education leader without the power of divine perspective.
Concluding thoughts
If you don’t currently have the power of perspective in your leadership tool box, just know that it often takes a lot of time and effort to perfect this leadership skill. Just keep practicing the skill and solicit the perspectives of others for now, and when the time is right, you will find that you have acquired the ability to view all things with an incredible perspective.
