7th September 2026
Today, I want to talk about why looking at things from different perspectives is one of the most underrated skills. Pausing and genuinely asking whether there is something you haven’t yet seen, is one of the most valuable disciplines you can possess. It makes life so much simpler.
So often we simply assume that what we see in front of us, is just what’s there. That seems reasonable. However, usually, we only see part of it and our brain unconsciously fills in the missing parts, so we’re actually making many assumptions, which are very dangerous!
Most conflicts that arise, whether in families, with friends, or at work, are not really disputes about facts. They are often disputes about angles and perspectives. Think about it. Two people who see the same thing, or who are present for the same conversation, or decision, can then honestly come away with entirely different accounts of what happened.
The moment you stop asking who is right or wrong, and start asking instead what each person might believe or see, is when something shifts. Your conversations then become more useful and constructive. So does your thinking. That is easier said than done, of course!
Here are some examples:
- A patient declines prescribed medication. The doctor sees non-compliance; the patient sees an informed personal choice. Recognising both views leads to better treatment and an altogether more honest conversation.
- Two neighbours fall out over a proposed development on their street. One sees opportunity; the other sees loss. Listening properly to both is the only basis for a decision that both can actually accept.
- A creative person receives a critical review about their work, but sits with it rather than dismissing it, or becoming defensive, and asks instead whether there is any truth in the criticism. The answer then produces a better creation the next time around.
But not every perspective deserves equal consideration. Some views are shaped by bias, self-interest, or plain misinformation. Opening yourself up to other viewpoints does not mean accepting all of them. It just means being honest enough with yourself to know which ones open things up, and which ones close them down.
So, today, try to look at whatever you are facing from at least one angle that you have not yet tried before, because the clearest view is rarely the first one you have; and remind yourself to try to look at things from different perspectives!