As a photographer, I spend a lot of time thinking about lenses. I have go-to lenses that I love and a very expensive wish list on my favorite gear websites.
 
In the photography world, there are many different lenses. In fact, there’s a lens for every situation. That’s why we have telephoto, macro, prime, fisheye—yes, even pancake lenses—to name a few.
 
Photographers choose a lens based on the problem at hand. A tight board room needs one lens, while a closeup of an insect requires an entirely different lens, as does capturing an athlete in motion from yards away. We have to choose the right lens for each specific situation and make adjustments on the fly if needed.
 
What’s great about being a photographer is that I can manually change lenses. I assess the environment and situation, then swap out the appropriate tool. It’s part of the workflow; it’s a given that I may need to change lenses while shooting.
 
One of the most impactful quotes I took away from this year’s annual conference was when Dr. Kay Monk-Morgan said that you can’t sit in one position to solve a problem. She went on to say that a leader must evaluate a situation from all four corners. In other words, a leader needs to be able to change lenses in their strategic problem-solving process.
 
This is harder in practice than in theory. It’s not as simple as switching camera lenses, which takes about 15 seconds. It takes effort, dedication and mindful awareness to switch lenses and cultivate empathy and adaptability.
 
The human experience is endlessly fascinating. One person’s reality—what’s perceived through their personal lens—will never exactly mirror another person’s. It’s very likely that, in any given situation, there are multiple solutions to a problem. Multiple perspectives could work. Maybe they are even stronger when combined into a new, collaborative solution.
 
If we don’t stand up and choose a new corner from which to view the problem, we could miss out on an innovative solution. If we don’t practice empathy and put ourselves into our clients’ or coworkers’ shoes, we’re missing out on their perspective, and perhaps understanding their goals and desires.
 
The next time you’re faced with a problem, try switching your lens. If you’re not quite prepared to stand and move to a different corner, ask a colleague for their perspective. You may find someone who has a telephoto lens that allows you to zoom out to see the entire landscape. Another person may have a macro lens that magnifies fine details.
 
You may find swapping lenses is just what you need to solve your next problem. You could even give the pancake lens a try.