Perspective--One of the Values of Experience

Perspective, in the context of wisdom, can come from having multiple and varied experiences and learning from them.  One of the values to be gained from experience is the perspective one develops over time.  Some people seem to have the same experience repeated for many years.  Others have multiple experiences throughout the same number of years.

When someone faces a challenge, finding someone who can share some perspective on the situation can be invaluable.  This is one of the benefits of working with a "wisdom model" (see an earlier post).

Peter Senge, in his work with the Fifth Discipline, refers to "systems thinking."  One way to look at systems thinking is to imagine a pebble in a pond and at all the things the ripples will touch.  What connects to what other thing?  Many times the changes being considered in response to a perceived challenge will produce consequences.  Part of systems thinking is to explore the potential consequences and to refine the decision to minimize negative consequences.  This is another of the benefits perspective can bring to a situation.

How do we find someone with that perspective and wisdom.  A first thing to do is to look for him or her.