On perspectives

Just like last Friday, here is a short note from my project to try writing short things: notes, aphorisms, poems, and song lyrics without compromising their instructional value in strategy and management.

This short note was inspired by a conversation I had with the board of directors of an insurance company the other day, during which I was astonished by a few members' inability to view things from different perspectives. Yes, I was genuinely provoked, and most certainly provoked them back. But instead of asking, "Are you playing dumb, or are you really dumb?", which I wanted to say, I said something like the following:

On perspectives: What we see from the mountaintop and what we see from the fields are often significantly different. I believe, anyone who fails to demonstrate in their behavior that they acknowledge this should not be allowed to speak or make decisions for someone else.

It got a bit "chilly" in the room, but I think I got my point across.

And credit where credit is due, my words were inspired by Alexanders Stenbock-Fermor's "Der rote Graf", who in turn was inspired by Berthold Brecht's drama "Heilige Johanna" (Saint Jeanne of the Stockyards) or Jeanne d'Arc as we have come to know her.