A Broad Perspective

Let's be honest. Goldfish have to be among the least exciting pets a child can have. Sure they are low maintenance, but they have little to offer in terms of affection or entertainment. One thing I have often wondered about when it comes to goldfish is if they see the glass in which they are encased. Are they aware of the confine that restricts their range of movement, that imprisons them, that, without their knowledge, imposes guidelines on their lives, and forces them into particular habits that define their behavior? My guess is they are not. My guess is they instinctively play the hand that has been dealt them without thought of even the possibility of other options.

We, too, are creatures of habit and our environment. We, too, adapt to our surroundings and, in doing so, often contend with restrictions that end up limiting our ability to expand our experiences, challenge our talents, and explore new opportunities. This reality, in essence, impedes our perspective, makes it more narrow than perhaps it could or should be. One of the aspects of communication I like best is the fact that, by definition, effective communication is the product of a broad prospective. In order to connect successfully with others or help others connect with others, perspectives beyond one's own need to be learned and weighed.

Think of relations any of us might have. We are with someone we like. We want to be their friend. We make a point of learning about their interests, likes and dislikes, viewpoints on various issues, etc. Before proposing to share an activity, we consider if they would enjoy it. Sometimes our suggestion might not be acceptable. Nevertheless, it is often made from a perspective of "us" rather than "me." It is no different in a professional setting. Any good campaign includes solid research, an act the requires looking beyond one's own knowledge base. Communicating well, then, helps drive us to keep our boundaries as broad as possible.