Great Leaders See Others" Perspectives

It is not crucial for a leader to agree with the ideas and perspectives of others, but it is essential to at least understand what they are, and to understand why others feel that way.
Only through maintaining an open mind, can a leader explore alternatives fully, and be able to evaluate the ideas of others in an objective, non- biased, and fair manner.
Each of us come from different backgrounds and orientations.
Because of that, we may witness the same situation, but automatically jump to different opinions because of our preconceived notions and prejudices.
Paul Simon simply summed this up in one of his classic songs by saying, "One man's ceiling is another man's floor.
" While it would be helpful if everyone approached life from this perspective, it is especially crucial for a true leader to do so, if for no other reason than the fact that no one individual ever has all the answers, or especially the only answers.
1.
Many organizations, especially in these challenging times, have been experiencing financial or fiscal challenges.
The most successful approach is for the group to take their budgeting process far more seriously, and create a budget by having a committee of knowledgeable and experienced individuals, with various ideas and perspectives, discuss alternatives in an open, no hold barred committee format.
The nature of creating a budget should be as apolitical as possible, with the emphasis on creating priorities and addressing needs that need to be looked at in detail.
When a budget committee functions properly, the document it prepares should be optimally used as a road map for an organization to more effectively plan both for the present, as well as the future.
2.
On many issues, there is no right or wrong, and certainly rarely is there ever only one way to approach something.
In fact, in my over three decades of closely working with leaders and organizations, I have never observed any issue that could only be addressed using one approach.
Great leaders explore all alternatives, and then try to align them as best they can, with the goals, needs, mission and core values of the organization.
A great approach for one organization may often be a dismal one for another, because each set of circumstances has its own set of unique needs and priorities.
Don't believe anyone who tells you that there is only one way to approach an issue or goal.
Always ask what the other alternatives are, and what the pros and cons of each are, and how the leader determined his approach.
If we all followed this basic approach, the result would be more responsive and better functioning leadership.