weak ties

Point of View

Watching a concert pianist from the keyboard’s point of view offers insight into their talents. If we always observe events from the same viewpoint or sit in the same seats, we are missing out on gaining additional perspectives. As a former collegiate cross-country skier, I recall that the NCAA champion skier on our team would preview the final kilometer of the race course by skiing it in reverse before turning around and skiing it as we raced. He gained more understanding of the course profile by seeing it backward before practicing it forward.

How might we seek out new points of view to better understand the place we occupy? How might we remain curious even when our patterns are habitual?

Multiple Voices

Unless we are hooked-up to an old fashion party-line where one landline served multiple parties, it is unlikely we are hearing all communications and perspectives. One of the great joys is meeting another person who sees the world in a profoundly different manner and alters our world view. It may be as simple suggestion that changes a subtle routine or it might be as grand as reformatting a universal truth.

The mindset that we have heard it all is limiting. If we gather with like-minded people to discuss new ways if thinking, we miss insights that individuals with weak ties to our cause might offer.

Sometimes we need to look at our inputs before we can adjust our output.