A question of perspective

But perspective is not just a technique for artists. Without a sense of perspective, it is often too easy to see complex multidimensional business issues reduced to two-dimensional black and white.

This leads to conclusions which are naïve and often wrong. In the corporate context, this means actively seeking out the opinions of all involved. While it applies internally, it also means listening to the unique perspective of an external source.

Let’s look at an example where a sense of perspective could have helped. There’s the tale of the couple who refused to pay the builder’s final account of £15,000. Both parties dug in with the result that in court, the builder got his £15,000 but had to do £3000 remedial work. However, between them, they gave the lawyers the thick end of £150,000. Unfortunately when a party gets wedded to a simple black-and-white view, as with our two dimensional image, the outcome is likely to be unsatisfactory.

In organisational terms, it’s a manager’s second-toughest job to elevate him or herself into a position to get a real perspective on an issue. The most difficult task? Well, that is to be honest with themselves and others as to the solution. This is the complete antithesis of much behaviour in construction, where the main aim is to shift risk and blame.

Imagine the litigants above trying to explain why they are where they are to visitor from outer space. What would he think of it all? He would despair of us.

There is hope. I listened to Mr Hart Davis on the radio this week as he excitedly described a trip to T5 at Heathrow. I see T5 not as so much a construction gig, but as an aviation project. And that’s much more exciting.

You know, Brunelleschi was right. Apply perspective and you see things differently.