top of page

Seeing Beyond Yourself

  • Writer: Dr. Cindy Petersen
    Dr. Cindy Petersen
  • Sep 29
  • 2 min read

Great leadership isn’t about charisma, strategy, or even vision. It’s about how you see people.

The Outward Mindset

The Outward Mindset by The Arbinger Institute suggests that when we shift from seeing

others as obstacles or tools, to seeing them as full human beings, everything changes—trust, collaboration, and results.


Here are 4 practical moves outlined by the authors and underscored by other leadership experts.


1. See People as People

“With an inward mindset… I become self-focused and see others not as people with their own needs… but as objects to help me with mine.” – The Outward Mindset


Try this: Before your next conversation, pause and ask: What pressures, goals, or challenges is this person facing that I might not see?


Stephen R. Covey said it best in The 8th Habit: “Leadership is communicating people’s worth and potential so clearly that they come to see it themselves.”


When you see others as people, you communicate their value.


2. Redefine Your Scoreboard

“My leadership effectiveness is measured not by what I accomplish, but by what those I lead accomplish.” – The Outward Mindset


Try this: At the end of the day ask: What did others achieve because of my actions today? What small actions did I take to make their success easier?


Simon Sinek in a 2014 Twitter/X post states: “A star wants to see himself rise to the top. A leader wants to see those around him become stars.”


Success is measured in the growth and performance of others, not in personal wins.


3. Shift the Lens, Shift the System

“Developing an outward mindset is a matter of learning to see beyond ourselves.” – The Outward Mindset


Try this: When you encounter conflict or resistance, ask: What problem are they trying to solve that I might not fully understand?


Peter Senge: “Mental models—our internal pictures of how the world works—shape our decisions and actions.”


Understanding others’ mental models helps you respond thoughtfully rather than reactively.


4. Lead With Presence and Humanity

“Seeing people as people rather than as objects enables better thinking.” – The Outward Mindset


Try this: Align your words, tone, and body language. Listen fully, recognize sincerely, and respond with empathy. Ask: Am I truly showing up for this person, or just running through my agenda?


Covey called it “seek first to understand.” Sinek calls it “leaders eat last.” Simon Sinek: “The joy of leadership comes from seeing others achieve more than they thought they were capable of.”


Being present isn’t just nice—it’s transformational.


The Takeaway

Leadership isn’t about you. It’s about how well you see, support, and elevate others.


Tomorrow, try one simple shift: “Who will be impacted by what I’m about to do, and how can I make it better for them too?”


That’s the heart of leadership.

Seeing Beyond Yourself

Comments


©2024 Courageous Leadership Coaching & Consulting LLC
bottom of page