Have you ever noticed that experts in a certain field seem to see things differently than you? Sometimes, it’s not even experts.
Hunters have a language that is all their own, as do mechanics, policemen, teachers, musicians, and every other interest, hobby, occupation, career, or calling.
Just the other day I was playing a Squier Classic Vibe 50’s telecaster in Butterscotch Blonde (you still with me so far?) and someone who doesn’t play guitar commented how it looked just like a very well-known artist’s guitar. I knew the difference (mainly a few zeroes on the price tag), but he did not.
Why is that? Because over time I have been able to develop a “lens” for viewing guitars. The way I look at guitars is influenced by my experience, opinions, and information gathering.
The same is true for your leadership. If you’re reading this, you have leadership influence in some realm of your life. More than that, you have developed some kind of “lens” to help you view situations around you pertaining to your leadership.
Your leadership style is influenced by your experience, opinions, and information gathering.
My question to you today is simply this: what is that lens in your life? Have you thought about what it is that shapes how you view the situations and the world around you? Have you considered the unhealthy influences? Have you weighed the positive influences?
For me, the 3 Questions (click here if you haven’t read about them yet) have become the lens through which I run my leadership. More specifically, the third question encourages me to equip and involve those around me.
So, once again, how are you viewing the leadership opportunities around you? Is there some kind of correction you need to make?
Maybe you could benefit from putting the 3 Questions into practice in your life.
Maybe, the application for you is to simply take some time to journal about the lens through which you are viewing things.
Whatever it is, take some time and grow your leadership by examining your lenses.
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I’ve really appreciated this blog because it helps keep those lenses cleaned & sharp. It interesting, because I was thinking as I read that the reverse can happen too over time in ministry or I would assume any job, we get blinders. I’ve noticed that I get so focused on the normal flow of things that I began to miss little things here & there. Eventually I’ll visit with someone or read an article or go to a conference & realize that some important aspects had disappeared out of my view. Thanks for helping keep things sharp.
I agree! There is a balance between viewing through a lens, and putting blinders on. I try to combat the blinders by trying to make it a habit to listen to other people and trying to see through their lens, if that makes sense. Then, as I try to change my lens, it helps knock the blinders off.