Same Situation. Different Perspective.

by Lydia Mattison

I was standing in front of a building recently when something caught my attention. The sky and clouds were reflected across its glass exterior, creating an almost seamless picture of the world around it. I was fascinated by the architecture, the reflections, and then, as I looked more closely, I noticed myself standing there too. The longer I looked, the more I noticed. Each glass panel reflected a different part of the sky. Some were bright, others filled with clouds and shadows. Depending on where I stood and what I focused on, I saw something different. It made me think about how often this happens in leadership. Have you ever been in a meeting where everyone heard the same conversation, yet walked away with a different understanding of what happened? One person sees an opportunity. Another sees a risk. Someone else notices something neither has considered. We all bring our experiences, beliefs, and assumptions into the room. They shape what we notice, how we interpret situations, and sometimes what we overlook. And often, we are so convinced of what we see that we forget there may be another perspective.

When We Think We Already Know

Experience is valuable in leadership. It helps us recognise patterns, make decisions, and navigate challenges. But it can also make us less inclined to question what we believe we already understand. We may assume a colleague is resisting change when they are actually concerned about something that hasn't been acknowledged. We may interpret silence as agreement when someone simply doesn't feel comfortable speaking up. How often do we reach a conclusion before becoming curious about what might be happening beneath the surface? Curiosity invites us to consider another possibility. A question as simple as "What am I not seeing?" can change the direction of a conversation. It doesn't mean we have to agree with everyone or question every decision. It simply means being willing to listen, understand, and recognise that our perspective may not be the only one. And when people feel their views are genuinely welcomed, they become more willing to contribute, challenge ideas, and participate in meaningful conversations.

Seeing Ourselves in the Picture

There was something else about that photograph that stayed with me. I wasn't simply observing the reflections. I was part of the picture too. And perhaps that's something worth remembering in leadership. When a conversation becomes difficult or a team isn't responding as we expected, it's easy to focus on what others are doing. But what about our own contribution? What assumptions am I bringing into this situation? How might my reactions be influencing others? Am I creating space for different perspectives, or am I unintentionally closing it down? These aren't always comfortable questions, but they invite us to become more aware of how we show up. Perhaps curiosity isn't only about understanding others. It's also about being willing to look at ourselves.

A Different Way of Seeing

As we approach the end of another year, we naturally begin reflecting on what we've achieved and what we might do differently. But perhaps we could also consider what we've become so familiar with that we've stopped questioning it. A colleague we think we understand. A challenge we've faced before. An assumption we've carried for years. What might we discover if we looked again? I keep returning to that photograph. The building hadn't changed, but as I continued looking, I noticed things I hadn't seen before. Perhaps leadership is like that sometimes. We don't always need the situation to change before we can see it differently. Our perspective may be valid without being complete. And sometimes, a little curiosity is all it takes to open a different conversation.