Today, we are continuing our exciting journey through Visionary Thinking, after learning about hindsight vision last week, looking back to find our wins and lessons we are now moving into the present moment with insight vision.
This is where things get really interesting, because insight vision helps us see what is really happening right now, not just what appears on the surface. Think of it like being a detective who looks for clues that others might miss.
Definition
Insight vision is the ability to look beyond the surface, see things from a different point of view, and understand cause and effect within a system. It is like having special glasses that help you see the connections between different parts of your life, work, or relationships.
Imagine you are looking at a beautiful garden. Most people see pretty flowers and green leaves. But someone with insight vision sees much more, they notice which plants help each other grow, where the water flows, how the sunlight affects different areas, and why some plants are thriving while others struggle. They see the whole picture and understand how everything works together.
Personal Story
About four or five months ago, I started a project with a new client and assembled a team of talented people. Everyone seemed capable, and I was excited about what we could accomplish together.
However, two or three months into the project, I began noticing problems. We were missing deadlines regularly, people were not showing up for meetings, and there was a clear lack of engagement from the team members. Everyone seemed disconnected and unmotivated.
My initial reaction was to think it was simply a “bad team” or that I had not recruited the right people. I felt frustrated and disappointed. For a few days, I blamed the individuals and wondered if I should replace some team members.
But then I decided to dig deeper. Instead of just looking at what was happening on the surface, I used insight vision to examine the situation more carefully. I compared this struggling team to another highly effective team I had been working with for almost a year, a team that was consistently performing well and seemed genuinely excited about their work.
The insight I gained was eye-opening. I realized that I had not been intentional enough in onboarding and setting up this new team properly before we started the actual delivery work. With my successful team, I had spent weeks getting everyone aligned, building relationships, and creating clear systems. But with this new team, I had rushed straight into the work without laying the proper foundation.
This connected the dots for me, showing that the issue was not just about the individual people but about my setup process. The problem was not the team, it was how I had prepared them for success. Once I understood this, I was able to make changes that transformed our working relationship completely.
Why Insight Vision Matters
When you develop insight vision, you become like a wise doctor who does not just treat the symptoms but looks for the root cause of the problem. Instead of getting frustrated with people or situations, you start asking better questions like “What is really happening here?” and “How are these different pieces connected?”
This kind of thinking helps you solve problems more effectively because you are addressing the real issues, not just what you see on the surface. It also helps you become more understanding and less quick to judge others, because you realize that most problems have deeper causes.
When you practice insight vision in your daily life, you start to see patterns and connections that make everything clearer. You understand why certain things keep happening and how you can create better outcomes by changing the right elements.
Action Point
- Here is something practical you can try this week, Think of a current challenge or situation in your life that has been bothering you. Instead of focusing only on what you can see on the surface, ask yourself these questions: What might be missing that I have not considered yet?
Join Our Learning Community
Before I close, I have an exciting question for you: If I were to organize a webinar about systems thinking with other experts to share tips and techniques on how to operate effectively with insight vision, would you be interested in joining us?
This would be a chance to learn from multiple perspectives and gain practical tools you can use in your own life and work. Let me know your answer in the comments.