Imagine you travel across an ocean, arrive in a new country, and only stay within a one-mile radius of your living arrangements.  What does that do to your perspective?

My first ever international travel took me to Paris, France. I delighted in chocolate mousse and delicious coffee so flavorful that my toes tickled with anticipation of the next sip.

In parallel, an adult game of hopscotch ensued as we avoided stepping in all the dog poop left on the sidewalks. The French people had a reverent, holier-than-thou attitude. It had nothing to do with being an American. Surprisingly, they were just as rude to each other.

We began forming conclusions that Parisians applied to all of France. We noticed how they communicated, what the food was like, even how people crossed the street.

The real question is: is this what France is really like? Did we cast judgement, stereotypes, to all people there?

Then, we hopped the EuroRail to Dijon, where the infamous commercial, “Do you have any Grey Poupon?” made us smile and laugh. Here, the small town was more relaxed, the French people were friendly, and the pace changed.

The original observations were not inaccurate. They were confined to a small context. Sometimes what looks like an incorrect perception is incomplete context.

Once we expanded our perspective, our viewpoint changed completely! How refreshing.

For neurodivergent leaders, you may accurately read the signal available to you and still need to revise the conclusion. Something can be true and still not be the whole context. Decisions may come from a limited viewpoint.

Once you expand the limited view, a new vantage point emerges to capture the accurate picture. These new perspectives change decision-making.

The new information does not necessarily replace the old information; it changes the meaning.

This week, ask yourself:

• What can I see now that changes the meaning of what I already knew?