How Our Perspective Shapes Our Lens on Life…
and Our Leadership

by Dr. Summer Allen, a DEI & Leadership Coach with bci and the author of Lose the Debate: A Practical Guide to Emotional Intelligence and Successful Dialogue

Our perspective is a powerful force, subtly guiding our actions and shaping how we live, work, and lead. It is an invisible architect, pulling the strings behind the scenes of our lives. Yet, we often overlook the importance of understanding this mental framework that influences our daily interactions, both personally and professionally.

The Making of Perspective

Our perspective is forged through a concoction of life experiences, woven with threads of our upbringing and past. Family, childhood environments, workplace experiences, and significant events all contribute to coloring our mental glasses. They mold our point of view from birth and continue to exert influence into our adult lives.

Understanding the genesis and influence of our perspective is crucial for both professional and personal growth, especially in the context of leadership. Neglecting it limits our ability to comprehend ourselves, our beloveds, and our team members. Our historical context casts a shadow on our present, impacting our behaviors, opinions, attitudes, and more. Even as leaders, we are still influenced by childhood experiences, nurturing environments, relationships, and past challenges.

Acknowledging this truth might be challenging, but it opens the door to change. By reflecting on our historical context and uncovering its impact on our subconscious, we gain a better understanding of ourselves. We can sift through our mental blueprint, discarding perspectives that hinder growth, and retaining those that serve us.

Our historical context plays a significant role in shaping our identity and values. Understanding our personal history helps us uncover the roots of our beliefs, principles, and perspectives. It allows us to recognize the influences that have shaped our authentic self as leaders. By understanding our historical context, we can align our actions and decision-making with our core values, enabling us to lead authentically.

Self-awareness is a key leadership capability and developing greater self-awareness enables us to lead and connect with others more effectively. It allows us to communicate empathetically, engage successfully in diverse cultures, and build stronger teams, partnerships, and relationships. By questioning the lenses through which we see the world, we expand our understanding and actively seek alternative perspectives.

Deepening Our Understanding

We do not lead in isolation. Leadership involves engaging with people from different cultures, backgrounds, and perspectives. When we understand how our historical context has shaped us, that allows us to appreciate the differences in others and we then gain increased awareness of the historical experiences, struggles, and achievements of others. This understanding promotes cultural relevance and adaptability, allowing us to connect with diverse individuals and communities authentically. It helps us appreciate and respect diverse perspectives, building bridges rather than barriers.

By understanding our historical context, we can lead with authenticity, embodying our true selves and aligning our values and actions. It enables us to connect with others, appreciate diverse perspectives, and make a lasting impact as leaders. Embracing our historical context empowers us to cultivate an authentic leadership approach that honors our past and shapes a better future.

The Call to Action

In this call to action, we are invited to be intentional about understanding how our perspective influences how we lead and everything we do. By embracing discomfort and challenging ourselves to explore different viewpoints, we foster personal development and promote inclusivity. Understanding and harnessing our perspective enables us to navigate relationships with empathy, respect, and compassion, fostering unity in a diverse world.

Let us commit ourselves to unraveling the layers of our perspective and actively shaping a brighter future. To increase your understanding of your own perspective, how it shapes you, and how to retain beneficial aspects while releasing unhelpful ones, here are some suggestions:

• Self-reflection: Take time for introspection and self-awareness. Engage in introspective practices such as journaling, meditation, or self-assessment exercises to explore your beliefs, values, and biases. Reflect on experiences that have influenced your perspective and consider how they have shaped your mindset.

 

• Seek feedback from others: Ask for input from trusted individuals, such as friends, family, or mentors, about how they perceive your perspective. Their insights can provide valuable observations and help you gain a more comprehensive understanding of yourself. Be open to constructive criticism and different viewpoints.

 

• Explore diverse perspectives: Actively expose yourself to varying viewpoints, cultures, and experiences. Engage in conversations with people from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and belief systems. Read books, articles, or blogs that offer contrasting viewpoints or participate in cultural events. This exposure can broaden your perspective and challenge any narrow or limited perspective you may have.

 

• Practice empathy and active listening: When engaging with others, practice active listening. Seek to understand their perspective without judgment or immediate dismissal. Show empathy by putting yourself in their shoes and actively considering their viewpoint, even if you don’t agree. Cultivating empathy and curiosity can help you appreciate different perspectives and foster a more broad and inclusive mindset.

 

• Engage in critical thinking: Evaluate your own perspectives critically. This will require you to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. Question assumptions, biases, and preconceived notions. Look for evidence and counterarguments that challenge your beliefs. This process can help you refine and evolve your perspective by aligning it more closely with logic, evidence, and open-mindedness.

 

• Cultivate a growth mindset: Embrace the idea that your perspective can evolve and grow over time. Emphasize continuous learning, personal development, and being open to new ideas. Embrace feedback and constructive criticism as opportunities for growth and improvement.

 

• Let go of harmful perspectives: Evaluate how your perspective affects your interactions with others, as well as your own well-being. Recognize patterns of thinking and behaviors that may be limiting, harmful, or counterproductive. Acknowledge these perspectives and make a conscious effort to let go of them. Replace them with more empowering, inclusive, and constructive views that better serve your personal and professional growth.

 

Remember, the journey towards a deeper understanding of your perspective and its shaping is ongoing. It takes time, effort, and openness to self-reflection. By embracing diverse perspectives, maintaining an open mind, and actively seeking personal growth, you can refine your perspective and hold onto the aspects that serve your well-being while letting go of those that no longer serve you.

Through intentional exploration, we can cultivate a world where empathy, understanding, and connection flourish. Your perspective matters, and by embarking on this journey, you have the power to create positive change for yourself and those around you. Start now and embrace the transformative power of understanding.

Learn more about how understanding your own perspective can make you a stronger leader in Dr. Allen’s book Lose the Debate.