The Power of a Refresh Perspective for Lasting Change

This week, September 11th, the love-of-my-life and I clocked our 25th wedding anniversary. The memory of that day, got me reflecting on how a simple shift in perspective can make all the difference.

Of the hundreds of photos taken on our wedding day, our favourite was not posed at the ask of our photographer of a must have list, but captured in a moment of pure spontaneity and laughter. We are walking along the beach hand in hand, I'm barefoot with my powder blue suede heels in my hand, the wind tangling my hair (even after hours in the salon to perfect it), and we were hurrying to catch up with our bridal party, eager to join our family and friends for the after-party. This picture, with swirling clouds and sand beneath our feet, hung for 5 years in an over sized large wooden frame taking pride of place in our unit (BC - before children).

As the fambam grew with two shiny boys, we moved to our rustic beachouse, with its timber ceilings, cedar panel walls, and brick feature walls. Our favourite picture just seemed flat against any wall in our family home.

The real voyage of discovery consists in not seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes. - Marcel Proust

We didn't change the picture, we simply changed the frame. We chose a chunky whitewashed frame that now popped in our beachouse. The picture remained the same, but the new frame brought it to life in a way we hadn't seen before.

Here lies the power of reframing. As Marcel Proust wisely said, "The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes." Sometimes, the change we seek isn’t in the circumstances around us, but in how we perceive them. By simply shifting our perspective, we can transform our reality.

In leading self and leading others, this concept is incredibly powerful. We often face challenges and obstacles that seem insurmountable. When we approach these situations with below-the-line thinking - focused on problems, limitations, and blame - we become stuck. However, by reframing our perspective to above-the-line thinking - centered on possibilities, solutions, and accountability - we unlock new potential and drive innovation.

Consider a scenario where your team is struggling with a project. The initial reaction might be to dwell on what’s going wrong: missed deadlines, lack of resources, or miscommunication. This below-the-line thinking can lead to frustration and stagnation. But what if you reframed the situation? Instead of fixating on the problems, focus on the opportunities: what can be learned from these challenges? How can the team grow stronger and more cohesive? What creative solutions haven’t been explored yet?

Reframing doesn’t mean ignoring reality. It means choosing to see it through a lens of possibility and growth. It’s about recognising that while the facts may not change, our approach to them can. By adopting this mindset, leaders can inspire their teams, foster resilience, and drive success.

To elevate your leadership, start by examining how you frame or talk about your daily challenges (with yourself and your teams). Are you viewing them as insurmountable obstacles or as opportunities for growth and innovation? Shift your perspective, and watch as your reality transforms. Remember, if it’s change you seek, the easiest thing to change is your perspective. When you change your frame, everything within it takes on new life and meaning.

In our personal journey, that beloved wedding photo didn’t change. But by reframing it, we breathed new life into it, allowing it to shine brightly in our new home... eventually being crowded out many pictures of our shiny shiny boys. Similarly, in leadership, by reframing our challenges and shifting from below-the-line to above-the-line thinking, we can discover new landscapes and possibilities with the same eyes, leading to profound and impactful change.

How will you reframe your leadership this week? Grab a new lens, and let’s make those obstacles shine like opportunities... or perhaps you may take joy in reframing a few pictures on your walls to shake up the look!

#ElevateYourLeadership #ReframeYourThinking #AboveTheLine #GrowthMindset #ChangeYourFrame #25YearsAndCounting