Does Your Organization Have Tunnel Vision? 2040’s Ideas and Innovations Newsletter, Issue 99
Issue 99, March 16, 2023
You think you see a light at the end of the digital tunnel, and then you realize it is the blinding light of tunnel vision that has derailed you. In considering how to change, transform or simply adapt to changing conditions across a market or profession, organizations (including ourselves) often fall back to doing what we know best and what has worked in the past under different circumstances. Believing we already know how to handle a problem, situation or even a request from others brings comfort and a sense of personal competency. We hold onto a (possibly false) level of confidence that we know how to lead, despite the dynamics of change that define us and our organizations.
Stalled in the Past
Generally speaking, we rely on our inherent, accumulated knowledge and experience to understand organizational systems, technologies, and market conditions. In truth, however, that reliance typically comes from over-confidence in believing that things stay the same. To follow this logic then, it shouldn’t be surprising when we are stopped short in understanding how to solve new problems that don’t conform to our preconceived views.
At 2040, we work with clients to identify what prevents them from “seeing” and “knowing.” There are so many factors and variables that influence what should be considered and understood to inform an action they are about to take. There are other perspectives that can contribute to solutions. And there are more relevant ways to respond to and interact with others that result in better outcomes using collective intelligence.
Trust
Eliminating tunnel vision requires trust in yourself and others. It is tempting to think our quick answers relay intelligence, competence, and expertise to those around us. This is also based on trust that we are right. Or they think that we are right. By nature, humans are very trusting and want to avoid confrontation. They also don’t want to take responsibility to offer an alternative view that may compromise their own personal comfort and security.
The worst part of tunnel vision is that we don’t realize we have it. As such, we find ourselves continually challenged to go outside of ourselves to ensure we are objective and critical. And to do that we need to trust that change is empowering. So, let’s spend a few moments diving into some practical ways to avoid getting stuck in the tunnel.
Tech Talk
There is no mutual language for the meaning of technology between the engineers and the rest of us. Our Western language construct is based on a medieval Christian-Judeo structure and its symbols and meanings have evolved over the centuries. But it does not have a language for technology. In other words, we try to apply symbols and meaning to technology based on 12th century ideas. The language of technology is mathematics, and trust me, most of us do not understand how to transcribe math into meaning and value in natural language.
But that’s not all.
Bias
Perhaps the biggest roadblock to understanding each other is bias. Professor Scott Galloway states that, “None of us is immune to our biases — that’s the nature of bias. You can’t read the label from inside the bottle. It’s easier to fool Americans than convince us we’ve been fooled.” He adds that most of us believe we’re part of a small cohort that sees the real issue and isn’t subject to bias fueled by the popular narrative. At 2040, core to our practice is to help leaders of all sizes and types of organizations recognize that the rest of the world does not think the way he or she does. We coach them to face their biases and refocus their thinking process to understand their customers, employees, and stakeholders – on their terms. It’s not easy to let go – especially for entrepreneurs and innovators who believe they have discovered the industry-changing solution, system, or service. But empathy is the new currency for leaders who aspire to be successful in today’s disintermediated society and marketplace.