Unless you spent last week on a distant, wifi-free island, you’ve probably heard about “the dress.” Earlier this month, a photo of a dress was posted online, and identifying its color became a source of stress, argument and vitriol around the world (Sample comments: “I can’t handle this!” “If that’s not gold, my entire life has been a lie!”).
At first, I was convinced that the dress was obviously white and gold. Until I looked at the same picture a few hours later and was sure it was blue and black. (In reality, it is blue and black, and there’s a fascinating scientific explanation why we were all so confused).
As annoying as “dress gate” may have become, it represents a powerful leadership lesson: No matter how certain we are about a situation, there’s almost always another way to look at it. Especially as leaders, if we become too attached to our views, we can’t solve problems, maintain relationships or make good decisions.
In fact, the ability to take on different perspectives a defining leadership skill. Metaphorically, if we’re seeing a problem as “white and gold,” we must also develop the skills to see it as “blue and black.”
Related: Color War: Brands Attempt to Cash In on the Great Dress Debate via Social Media
The next time you’re facing a problem, here are three questions to broaden your perspective:
1. What else could be causing this problem?
Last week, an executive approached me with a self-diagnosed “feedback problem.” Recently, he’d been in too many situations where he had to give his team constructive feedback. I asked why he thought it was a feedback problem. “Because,” he replied, “the feedback isn’t working!”
I paused. “Have you considered that this might not be a feedback problem at all?” His “aha” moment followed. What seemed like a feedback problem was really an expectation problem. He wasn’t giving his team clear direction, so they were guessing and often getting things wrong. The gold and white dress was actually blue and black!
As humans, our powers of perception are quite flawed. In their excellent book, Decisive, my colleagues Chip and Dan Heath argue that when we solve problems, we prematurely limit our choices. So, before you choose your solution, make sure you fully consider your options and are addressing the right issue.
Related: Don't Just Start a Business, Solve A Problem
2. How would a neutral party view this situation?
It’s an unpleasant fact that the average marriage becomes less satisfying over time. Determined to change this, a group of researchers tested a simple intervention with 60 married couples. Over a period of time, the couples were asked to consider “how a neutral third party who wants the best for all” would view a conflict in their marriage. While couples in a control group saw their marital quality decline, the couples who completed the intervention didn’t. The only difference was a change of perspective.