How much difference does a slight change in one’s point of view make in altering what one sees?
Felice Varini, a remarkable artist from Switzerland provides a dynamic illustration of the power of a focused point of view. His work illustrates the March 2010 issue of the Harvard Business Review (www.hbr.org) and is used to bring into focus the power of alignment.
Seen from exactly one point and one point only, all geometric designs in Mr. Varini’s work align and form the shapes intended. Concentric or overlapping circles, triangles, bold geometric shapes all perfectly formed and recognizable. Step a mere one foot forward or backward, right or left, and the alignments disappear to be replaced by seemingly random segments of disconnected shapes.
How similar this is to a project goal. A single point of view is powerful when used to align actions towards a shared goal. But how often do all team members actually stand in the same place and look in the same direction? A slight divergence in point of vies, focus or direction, or merely being in a different place when viewing the goal, can remarkably alter the understanding of the goal, and the actions undertaken in pursuit of that goal.
What risk is brought to a project when all team member actions are not focused on a common goal?
Point of view. Powerful when shared, dangerous when not.
