Leading change? Working with digital or business transformation? Then you’re probably great at focusing on what to do, when, how and why.
And focus is great. We all know that.
But at times, focus can lead to tunnel vision, that state of mind when we are so focused that we lose sight of the bigger picture, or what is happening around us and how people are responding to the change.
So, to balance your great focus, develop your peripheral vision too. Peripheral vision is taking in information outside of our immediate focus. It’s widening our view to be able to notice what happens around us. And that’s not metaphorically, it’s a question of practicing having a wider visual field.
Some of the greatest speakers, facilitators and trainers have great peripheral vision; they have the whole room within their view field, so they can notice shifts in people, recognising when people react to something, noticing disengagement or excitement.
So whenever you are in a project meeting for example, consciously notice and use your whole visual field (rather than just looking at the person you are talking to for example) – and notice how much more you become aware of.
Want to know more about peripheral vision for change? Get in touch – we’re happy to talk.
The pace of change is so great, there is always something else going on. What that says to me is that you have to have strategic vision and peripheral vision. Strategic vision is the ability to look ahead and peripheral vision is the ability to look around, and both are important.
Carly Fiorina
