In the dynamic landscape of business leadership, success often hinges on one’s ability to navigate through myriad perspectives, much like interpreting colors in a diverse palette. In this article, I discuss the subject of perception and color and how they can be seamlessly applied to everyday business collaboration, where embracing varied viewpoints is not just beneficial but essential.
Let’s dive in…
When you look at the background on the graphic above, what color do you see? You may only choose one color. Is the background red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple, white, or gray? I assure you, this isn’t a trick question—it’s really quite simple. What color do you see?
Some people will say yellow, and some will say green. Some might even say gray. Regardless, everyone who responds will be certain of their answer. My question to you is: Who is right? Who is wrong? If you said green and I said yellow, who would be right? You or me?
The answer is: We would both be “right.” And/or, we would both be “wrong.” Let me explain…
You see, it’s all about perception. Everyone’s perception of color is different—no two eyes will ever see color exactly the same; that’s a fact of being a human being.
Just as individuals see different colors in an image, you and your colleagues will also interpret business situations and challenges you face through different lenses.
It’s important to understand and appreciate each unique perspective and how it contributes to the overall richness of the organization. By allowing yourself to be open to other ideas and letting go of the control of having to be “right,” unlimited ideas and true collaboration can take place. As with the diversity of color perception, individuals come from various backgrounds, experiences, and expertise. The challenge for a leader is not to enforce a singular viewpoint but to appreciate and harness the power of diverse perspectives.
So, how do we work on letting go of some of this control? Try these actionable leadership strategies that you can start using right away:
Be open to listening.
A successful leader not only hears but actively listens to team members without interruption, judgment, or distraction. Focus on being fully engaged with the person you are speaking with. Turn off your phone, step away from your laptop or computer, and be fully present. As they are speaking, take time to listen to what they’re saying rather than just hearing. You may want to read that last sentence again, as there is a big difference here. If you do this, one, you won’t be so preoccupied with your own thoughts, which will allow you to be more open to other ideas, but two, you will create a better working culture that includes mutual respect and understanding among you and your staff.
Appreciate and accept different perspectives and perceptions.
Diversity is a strength. Leaders should recognize and value the unique viewpoints each team member brings to the table. Acknowledge and accept that the other person has their own reason(s) for feeling and thinking the way they do. Have respect and admiration for them and their opinions, and for your own too. Just because they are different doesn’t mean either are right or wrong. They are just different, and that is okay. Listening and talking through your differences of viewpoint may just put you both in a better position or allow you to create something greater than you ever imagined.
Release all judgement.
Having different perspectives and opinions is what makes life great! How boring would life be if we all thought and did things the same way? As business leaders, try to refrain from passing immediate judgment on others’ thoughts or ideas. Instead, try to create a space where they feel comfortable expressing diverse thoughts to encourage innovation and creativity.
Conclusion:
By being open to different perspectives, leaders can cultivate an environment that encourages collaboration, creativity, and adaptability. This shift in mindset can lead to more meaningful and productive conversations within teams, ultimately driving the success and growth of the organization.
Just as no two individuals perceive color in the same way, no two team members will approach challenges identically. The true artistry of leadership lies in appreciating and leveraging the diverse palette of perspectives, creating a harmonious and successful business composition.
Melissa Stankovich is the communications director for the NRLA. She can be reached at melissa@nrla.org.
