Perspective: Helicopter View

If you've ever ridden in a helicopter, you can relate to the idea of perspective. When you look out, you can see everything--below, behind, ahead, up--all in spectacularly clear view. It is breathtaking!

So, when I encountered this concept while reading Leading Blog, culled from The Nature of Leadership, by Jim White, I had an immediate, gut level understanding of what the "helicopter view" as it relates to leadership means.

Leaders have the ability to see events, crises, challenges, etc. in the larger context. They draw on the lessons of the past to inform the present. And while looking toward the future, they keep the core principles of the organization--mission, service, vision--firmly in view. Without this perspective, it would be easy to repeat the mistakes of the past, or fail to preserve the values that have shaped the organization.