Have you seen the world through my eyes?
The question was asked in response to my having offered assistance to a complete stranger. When I relayed what I’d done to a friend, they offered that they would have wanted to do the same but would have hesitated in doing so for a fear of physical safety.
This is a question I think about every day and could be – should probably be – the subject of a much larger post than this is likely to be.
Have you seen the world through my eyes?
This question stopped me in my tracks when it was asked and still resonates with me today, in a profound way. It’s a question I have asked thousands of young leaders, when I taught a course on leadership, ethics and perspective at the United States Air Force Academy.
The short answer is, of course, “No.”
The longer answer is, “What a powerful question to ask. While I cannot do so, I can and surely ought to try.”
From a personal and business perspective, sincerely asking this question launched a journey of introspection of which this blog is the current manifestation.
From a business perspective alone, what an incredible cornerstone of a framework to consider our actions through.
Have we seen the world through the eyes of a consumer or a client?
Have we seen the world through the eyes of our partners or vendors
Have we seen the world through the eyes of our employees?
Phrased and applied another way:
Have we tried to see ourselves as others see us?
I don’t offer definitive answers here, just food for thought.