Yesterday’s dot (#3609) about how the former Sears catalog building had been transformed into a food hall sparked two comments from a former colleague who had recently visited the Boston spot I featured. Her observations:
- She was focused on looking at “ground-level” and had no idea about the significance of the building when she was there. She never looked up to see the exterior at all. It’s a Boston landmark and listed on the National Register of Historic Places — but you could never appreciate that if you only focused on the street view. It’s a good reminder that we to consider things from different angles — and not just buildings.
- Her experience in the food hall “pointed out to us how white Boston is. It was visually obvious in the crowded hall.” Coming from Detroit, she was understandably struck by the whiteness but coming from small-town Iowa, I had the opposite reaction and found Boston full of different ethnicities and languages. It’s another example of how others may experience something differently depending on their initial frame of reference.
The original dot and the reflections from reading it reaffirm one of the core principles of leadership — a broad perspective is essential. I would have never known about the building had someone not enlightened me and my colleague provided additional insights that I had not recognized. To appreciate all an idea has to offer, look beyond “ground-level” to consider all sides and embrace the multiple viewpoints a diverse team can provide you.
Thanks, Colleen!
