Have you heard the phrase “perspective is everything?” During a recent conversation with a friend, I was reminded of how perspective impacts a leader’s choices.
My friend is a leader; however, she is frustrated because she’s not in charge. She is very successful in her area. Her challenge is her leader doesn’t always include her decisions that impact her department.
As a result, my friend was struggling to understand or connect with her leader. Because of her frustration, her attitude was very negative. During our conversation, my friend expressed her concern about her leader’s decision to expand her duties.
When she took a breath, I asked, were there any other significant leadership changes in the organization. She explained the Board of Directors recently hired a new Chief Executive Officer. Once I understood what was going in the organization, I realized why my friend and her leader were struggling to connect.
Organizational change can be very stressful. When individuals don’t know what to expect, they create their own narrative on what changes may occur. So, everyone was on edge because they didn’t know what changes would be made in the organization.
A study conducted by the American Psychological Association (APA) found organizational changes can lead to overly stressed employees, who have less trust in each other. As I reflected on my friend’s situation, I was reminded of a quote from Clay Scroggins.
In his book How to Lead When You’re Not in Charge, Scroggins reminds us, “Position gives you perspective. It affects how you see the world around you.” Based on their position, my friend and her leader had a different perspective on her responsibilities.
To help my friend understand her leader’s perspective, I asked her to imagine their roles were reversed. Over the next 20 minutes, my friend began to understand the pressure her leader was feeling.
Although my friend didn’t agree with her leader’s decision to expand her role, her attitude toward the situation changed. I encouraged my friend to maintain a positive attitude toward the anticipated changes.
As we wrapped up our conversation, I reminded my friend too:
- Maintain a positive attitude
- Remain focused on the work
- Seek to understand
- Spend time with positive individuals
- Seek out opportunities
“If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
Maya Angelou
Leaders understand the value of perspective. Changing your perspective will change your attitude.
Is your perspective changing your attitude?
#YourLeadershipGuide
Kim
View the “MOORE Leadership Moment” podcast HERE
Lead Confidently | Expand Influence | Achieve Significance
Point taken, I will make sure my attitude is always positive. Thank you for the reminder.
Nidia