Seeing With New Eyes

One of my favorite quotes is by French novelist Marcel Proust, "The real voyage of discovery comes not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes."

For leaders this requires fundamental shifts in thinking. Our mind is often conditioned to see only what we know and can prove, even though our reality may be quite different. Suppose we began to see employees, clients, and vendors through new eyes - viewing them as sacred - as though we were connected at a deeply spiritual level? How might that change the way we treat them?

Why It Matters

We tend to trust our senses more than our instincts. If we can see it, smell it, hear it, touch it, or taste it then "it" must be real.

But in our quest for reality, we may be missing the more subtle truths that guide human behavior and relationships. By focusing only on what we know to be true, our eyes may overlook the obvious clues all around us.

Could high staff turnover be a direct result of indifference or verbal abuse by management? Might wear and tear on equipment be caused by the anger and tensions that often fill our workplace? Would clients be less demanding if they felt truly valued and cared for?

Changing How We See

Changing the lens through which we view our world begins with acknowledging that we are all connected.

When leaders treat others with love and respect, they will begin to see them differently. When leaders are courageous and truthful with others, they will be inspired to do the same.

The workplace and marketplace yearn for leaders to see with new eyes. Most leaders have this ability already within themselves. No, it doesn't entail a new set of glasses or contact lenses.

The vision to create a healthy culture for employees and clients requires leaders to be vulnerable, to admit mistakes, and to do the right things.

Trust your instincts and seek the sacredness in others. You will find that your eyes can see a whole new world.

Photo Credit: istockphoto.com