Benefits and Tricks of a Power Skill: Seeing Patterns

Leaders in the modern world must be able to quickly and efficiently identify opportunities and threats to make the best decisions for their organizations. The ability to see patterns is essential for success in today's VUCA world.

The Benefits of Seeing Patterns

Seeing patterns is an important cognitive process that we use all the time, both consciously and unconsciously. It enables us to discover links in a complex set of data, thus allowing us to reach conclusions and make predictions based on those connections in the VUCA world.

As Robert C. Barkman, Ph.D., stated,

"When you see a pattern, it can change your life. Seeing a pattern can even make you smarter. Recognizing a pattern is like looking through a telescope for the first time. As if with new eyes, you see things that you have never seen before."

Seeing patterns enables the leader to make more effective decisions.

By understanding how things are related, the leader can more easily spot trends, pinpoint opportunities, and anticipate problems. This allows the leader to be proactive instead of reactive in their decision-making processes.

Seeing patterns helps the leader develop solutions to problems.

By understanding how things are related, the leader can more easily spot the problem source and develop a plan to address it. Additionally, by recognizing patterns, the leader can develop new tools, processes, and methods, and develop various solutions for similar problems that may have arisen in the past or may arise in the future.?

Seeing patterns helps the leader to comprehend the complexities of life.

By understanding how things are related, the leader can spot trends and identify the causes and effects of various actions or events. This allows the leader to take appropriate actions in response to complex situations and be better equipped to deal with complexity, as he or she understands the underlying causes of issues and can develop strategies accordingly.

Seeing patterns makes life more predictable for the leader

By understanding how things are related, the leader can anticipate what is next. This allows the leader to prepare for difficulties and opportunities ahead of time, which helps him or her to better deal with them if they arise. Additionally, by recognizing patterns, the leader can develop insights regarding people or situations, which can help him or her make predictions about future behaviors or outcomes.

Seeing patterns leads to creativity.

By seeing connections among seemingly unrelated things, leaders can develop new ideas and solutions that others might not have thought of.?There is always something new to discover by paying attention to patterns. This allows the leader to be more flexible and creative when generating ideas. Creativity is also about developing new patterns, and it is frequently found when individuals think outside the box and create new ones.

All of these benefits make pattern recognition an essential leadership skill. Although it is not easy to master, the following reasons explain why:

Seeing Trends Comes Naturally, But May Be Tricky

Our brains are very good at seeing patterns.

The ability to see patterns is a result of the brain's natural tendency to find order in chaos.

This is how we make sense of the world and learn in the process. The ability to find patterns is also critical for survival, for it is what allows us to identify potential threats and opportunities.

In the VUCA world, successful leaders have an edge when it comes to identifying patterns. Specifically, they understand how different pieces fit together, and they are able to see the potential implications of those relationships. This ability to notice patterns is what allows great leaders to be visionaries. Moreover, that is why they are able to create change.

Granted, it is not just great leaders who have this ability; all of us do. It is human nature to identify patterns.

Patterns are everywhere, and they are not just in the things we see. They are also in the way we think, behave, and interact with others.

Although we are good at seeing patterns, we still experience some significant difficulties in identifying them.

We are unable to see some patterns that exist.

In the fast-paced modern world, we often take in information without really seeing it. Our brains are constantly filtering the enormous amount of data that we take in, and as a result, we cannot address all of the details of what we perceive. Thus, we selectively perceive what is important and automatically synthesize and categorize the information. This might lead us to overlook certain patterns that could prove crucial in some situations.

There are numerous reasons for common perception errors. We like to find recurring, typical patterns, and we are more likely to recognize the ones we expect to see. Accordingly, the majority of people will notice things that correspond with their current view of reality.

Most people observe things based on pre-existing biases and stereotypes. If you are presented with two pieces of evidence that contradict each other, you are more likely to believe the one that supports your existing beliefs. Confirmation bias is a dangerous concept because it can lead us down a path of self-deception. Through confirmation bias, we become much less open-minded; instead of attempting to find the truth, we only look for information that confirms what we already believe.

Another reason why people might overlook patterns is simply due to cultural differences. What might be considered normal or obvious in one culture might be completely foreign or incomprehensible in another. This is why it is so important to have a multicultural workforce so that different perspectives can be brought to the table.

The next time you are taking in information, try to be aware of any potential patterns that you might be overlooking. It is easy to get caught up in our own biases and expectations; however, if we can train our brains to be more open-minded, then we might just see something that we missed previously.

We may see patterns that do not exist.

We are pattern-seeking creatures; thus, we see patterns everywhere we look, from the stars in the night sky to the clouds during the day. However, our ability to see patterns can sometimes be misused and we create patterns in our minds that do not exist. This may be the result of a wrong judgment or a diversion known as patternicity.

?Patternicity is the tendency to see meaning or significance in random data.

This phenomenon can lead to pretty serious consequences. For example, scientists may reach false conclusions about climate change based on inaccurate data sets, medical professionals may misdiagnose a patient based on apophenia, and leaders may make poor decisions based on patterns that are not actually present.

Of course, not all patterns are illusions. Sometimes, we really do see something that others do not. This is known as the power of observation or discerning ability. The ability to see things that others cannot see is a valuable skill in any field, but it is especially important for leaders.

Another concept that we must explore is synchronicity, which was first mentioned by Carl G. Jung. He defined it as "meaningful coincidence" to try and explain events that appear significantly related, but do not have a causal link. Synchronicity experiences occur when you feel as though there is some unknown connection between things that happen in your mind and things that happen in the outside world. Even though these events might be caused by different things, it feels as if they are connected.?Jung believed that although this is a natural part of the human experience, it might become detrimental if individuals lose touch with reality.

We must also be aware of the fact that our minds build a holistic picture out of incomplete information. Our brains are constantly filling in the blanks based on prior knowledge, experiences, and awareness.

Accordingly, when we are presented with incomplete information, we have a tendency to fill in the gaps with whatever makes sense to us based on our own biases and expectations. As a result, we may end up with a distorted view of reality. It is important to keep this in mind, especially when making decisions that could have a significant impact on our lives.?

The next time you find yourself seeing a pattern where one is not actually present, take a step back and ask yourself if the pattern that you are seeing is really there. Just because our brains are hardwired to see patterns does not mean that every pattern we see is real. Be careful to not let false patterns lead you astray.

We change, and so do patterns.

Over time, our perception of patterns and the patterns themselves change. As we acquire knowledge and encounter new events, our perception of the world changes to fit the new information. At times, these changes are small and subtle, and in other instances they are more drastic. Nevertheless, one thing is for certain: our ways of recognizing the patterns around us are in a constant state of flux. They change, often in ways that we may not even be aware of. For example, the patterns of light and shadow on a landscape are constantly shifting as the sun moves across the sky. Even our own behavior patterns are subject to change, as we learn new methods and techniques or respond to different situations. The world around us is always in a state of flux, and the patterns that we see are just one small part of that ever-changing tapestry.

Patterns can also differ from what they were before; something that appears to be a pattern at first glance may turn out to be something else entirely upon closer inspection. Our brains are constantly sorting through the sensory data bombarding us at all times, trying to find meaning in it all. As our understanding of the world evolves, so does the way we see the patterns within it.?

The next time you find yourself spotting a pattern, take a moment to consider how your perception of it may have changed over time. If you cannot quite see how it has changed, have no fear: the chances are good that your brain is already working on it. After all, pattern recognition is one of the things that our brains do best!

The consequences for leaders are that they must always be conscious of the rapidly changing world and their own interpretation of it.

Moreover, they should be willing to adapt or drastically adjust their perspectives as needed. After all, stakeholders will not always interpret the patterns they see in the same way as the leader. Therefore, it is imperative that leaders can explain and justify any adjustments to their perspective. Often, what works today may not work tomorrow—and that is okay! The key is for leaders to be flexible and open-minded in their endeavors.

It is also important for leaders to not become too attached to any single pattern. Instead, leaders should view each pattern as a stepping stone that will help them better understand the ever-changing world around them.?

As our understanding of the world evolves, so must our leaders’ understandings of it. Although this can be daunting, it is also incredibly exciting! After all, there is always something new to learn.?

Conclusion

Recognizing patterns is a critical leadership skill in the VUCA world. By developing this skill, leaders will be better equipped to make decisions, understand complexities, solve problems, make predictions, and be more creative. To utilize this skill effectively, leaders must be aware of the benefits and tricks of our brain, which is constantly seeking patterns. Leaders must also be vigilant about the ever-changing world around them and their own interpretations of it.

What are some benefits that you have experienced about seeing the world through patterns??

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