Shift Your Perspective, Unlock Your Potential

When Jimmy Buffett passed away in 2023, I found myself unexpectedly emotional—mid-breakfast taco, tears falling. His music has been a constant in my life, and his lyrics hold a kind of wisdom that feels just as relevant today as ever.

One line has been playing on repeat in my mind: “Changes in latitudes, changes in attitudes.”

Over the past few weeks, my latitude has changed more times than I can count. Traveling from place to place, meeting new people, seeing things from different perspectives—it’s been a reminder of how much a simple shift in environment can change the way we think.

But here’s the thing: You don’t have to travel to gain a new perspective. Some of the biggest shifts in leadership, growth, and career success don’t come from external change at all. They come from internal shifts—choosing to see things differently, challenging assumptions, and unlocking a new way forward.

The Power of Perspective in Leadership

If you’ve ever felt stuck—whether in your career, your leadership journey, or a particular challenge—you know how frustrating it can be. You analyze, you strategize, you push harder… but nothing seems to change.

Why? Because the problem isn’t always about effort. Sometimes, the missing piece is perspective.

Leaders face this all the time:

• The high-performing executive who suddenly feels invisible in a new organization.
• The leader navigating change who feels like they’ve lost control of the narrative.
• The professional who knows they’re capable of more but isn’t sure how to move forward.

And here’s the truth: External circumstances don’t have to change for you to create movement. A single shift in mindset can open doors that felt permanently closed.

What’s Keeping You Stuck?

Through my work as an executive coach, I’ve seen patterns emerge when people feel stuck. Often, it’s one of these things holding them back:

• Limiting Beliefs – "I’m not ready yet." "What if I fail?" "I don’t have the experience for this." Sound familiar? These thoughts become self-imposed barriers that keep talented leaders from taking action.
• Fear of Visibility – Many professionals feel more comfortable in execution mode, but leadership requires stepping up and being seen. If you’re hesitant to take up space, that hesitation can hold you back more than any external factor.
• Attachment to a Fixed Path – Sometimes, the biggest thing keeping us stuck is the belief that there’s only one right way forward. In reality, success isn’t a straight line. Leaders who embrace adaptability often find opportunities they never expected.

A Real-World Example: A Shift That Changed Everything

One leader I worked with faced a challenge that many professionals can relate to: He had stepped into a senior role at a global company, but his usual leadership approach wasn’t landing. In previous roles, his humor had been a powerful relationship-builder, but in this new environment—spread across time zones and cultures—it wasn’t resonating the same way.

He was frustrated. He felt like he was losing credibility. And he wasn’t sure how to adapt.

Through coaching, we worked on expanding his perspective:

• Understanding his leadership strengths – His humor was an asset, but he needed to balance it with new ways of connecting.
• Building emotional intelligence – We explored how cultural and virtual team dynamics shaped communication.
• Testing small changes – Rather than a complete overhaul, he experimented with subtle adjustments in tone, meeting cadence, and messaging.

The result? Deeper engagement with his peers, stronger alignment around key business strategies, and a shift in how senior leadership perceived his impact.

This transformation didn’t happen because his external environment changed. It happened because he did.

According to Genos research, emotional intelligence accounts for more than 85% of performance in top leaders. That means the ability to understand yourself, read a room, and adapt your approach is often what sets successful leaders apart.

How to Create Your Own Shift

If you’re feeling stuck, consider this: What would change if you looked at your situation from a different angle?

A few things to ask yourself:

• What assumptions am I making about this situation?
• How would I approach this challenge if I were advising someone else?
• If I had full confidence in myself, what action would I take next?

Perspective shifts don’t happen overnight. But when you start to challenge your own narratives, new possibilities open up.

Leadership Is About Movement

At its core, leadership isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about knowing how to move forward even in uncertainty. It’s about making the internal shifts that allow you to see new paths, take strategic risks, and build the confidence to step fully into your role.

So, what about you? Where could a change in your latitude create a shift in your attitude?

Maybe it’s time to rewrite your story. To challenge the limiting beliefs holding you back. To step into your next level of leadership with fresh eyes and an open mindset.

If you’re ready for that shift, I’d love to help. Let’s start the conversation.