Do I Really Look Like That?

International superstar Michael Jackson was perhaps most famous around the world for was is amazing music, dancing, and choreography skills. Part of what made his work so great was his ability to Zoom Out and visualize which music would sound good, which dance moves would look good, and how those pieces fit together. Many of us remember how amazing the Thriller video looked when it was first released; do you think that would have turned out as great without weeks of rehearsals... and backing away from time to time to look at it from a wider perspective?

In my last post, '5 Ways That Zooming Out Can Help Your Career' (http://www.tonyzink.com/content/5-ways-zooming-out-can-help-your-career), I mention that one of the most important things that I've learned is the ability to Zoom Out and look at situations from a wider perspective. I recently read an interesting metaphor describing this process of "leaving the dance floor" and going up to the "balcony", where you can get a better overall view of the action:

http://www.amanet.org/training/articles/For-a-Fresh-Perspective-Stop-Dancing-and-Get-Out-on-the-Balcony.aspx

"Getting on the balcony helps you gain perspective in the midst of action. You can examine the dynamics, identify and interpret trends, and reach a deeper understanding of the current situation. While on the balcony, you develop two complementary skills: you notice nuances in people’s language and behavior and you find ways to interpret the data you collect."

"You need not physically leave a meeting or the office to get out on the balcony. In sports, successful athletes can be in the game and at the same time recognize the larger patterns of play. The next time you are in a meeting, experiment with shifting your seat subtly and make a conscious effort to notice what is going on. Identify who is doing most of the talking, who has been silent, what the senior authority figure is doing. Ask yourself, 'What is actually going on here?' Consider several possibilities about how the current situation reflects the concerns, values, and perspectives in the broader system."

Michael Jackson was a master -- physically and mentally -- at "leaving the dance floor" in order to visualize how his music, dancing, and choreography would appear to his fans... and you can do the same. Practice finding ways to step away from the action, go up to the "balcony", and take in a wider perspective of the situation. I guarantee that you will start to see things that you never realized were there before!