A Leader’s Perspective

As a young gung-ho manager, I had a single mother as part of my leadership team. She had no family in the area, so she would have to change her schedule when something happened with the kids. Since I was all about work then, I would get frustrated with her. I’m sure I even said something once or twice.

Years later, after having two children, I called and apologized. I had learned how hard it was to balance work and children. And I wasn’t even a single parent.

Having children gave me a new perspective. More importantly, I realized how off my perspective was. I didn’t need to have children to understand what the single mother was going through. I just needed to work harder at seeing things from her perspective and not mine.

We are better leaders and people when we can stop and see things from another’s perspective. I put the world stop there because I don’t think it comes naturally to most people.

I also learned that when I do that, I am much better at helping others find solutions that successfully move them forward. That is both the role and rewards of leadership.

All of that also applies to anyone we help in recovery.