No matter your industry, in the fast-paced business world, success often hinges not just on what we see with our eyes, but on what we perceive with the eyes of our minds. This is the power of insight: the ability to recognize things that aren’t immediately obvious, make informed decisions, and connect deeply with people.
As I’ve navigated my career, I’ve learned that harnessing this power can transform how we approach both our professional and personal lives.
Seeing Beyond the Surface
Insight is more than just intuition; it’s a deliberate practice of looking beneath the surface to understand underlying dynamics. It’s about asking why someone from IT is saying no to a proposal, and then making an effort to understand the competing ideas, goals, and groups that influence their stance. In business, shared services like compliance and IT often have to balance numerous priorities. When every group brings their number one priority to the table, how do you use insight to make decisions that best serve the whole organization?
Consider the tragic example of the Costa Concordia disaster. The cruise ship, captained by someone who had a close relationship with the island mayor, ran aground in Italy. The captain had previously turned off safety measures to get closer to shore without issues. But this time, it resulted in a devastating crash that killed 33 people. This disaster underscores the importance of insight—of seeing the hidden dangers below the surface before making decisions.
While most business situations aren’t as dramatic, the principle remains the same. What are the “rock formations” below the surface in your organization? What hidden risks or conflicts might derail your plans if you don’t take the time to see them?
Applying Insight Interpersonally and Strategically
The application of insight isn’t limited to strategic decisions; it’s equally crucial in interpersonal interactions. Emotional intelligence, often touted as a key leadership skill, is deeply rooted in insight. Emotional intelligence involves empathy, which requires knowing and understanding people’s pain points and motivations. Business, after all, is a collection of people working towards a common goal.
In practical terms, this means taking the time to understand your colleagues, their challenges, and their goals. It means recognizing that the “no” from IT isn’t just a roadblock, but a reflection of competing priorities that need to be addressed for the organization to move forward effectively.
Insight in Action: A Real-World Example
Let me share a real-world example from my experience. A client was facing significant resistance from their IT department when trying to implement a new compliance system. On the surface, it seemed like IT was simply being obstructive. But by using insight—by looking deeper into the situation—we discovered that IT had already been stretched thin with other critical projects, and adding another major task was overwhelming for the team.
By understanding this, we were able to re-prioritize tasks, allocate additional resources, and work collaboratively with IT to ensure the new system was implemented smoothly without overburdening the team. This approach not only solved the immediate problem but also fostered a more collaborative and empathetic working environment.
Insight and Emotional Intelligence
Emotional intelligence is a common buzzword in leadership circles, but what does it actually mean in real terms? One of its key components is empathy. To be empathetic, you need to know people and understand their pain points. This is where insight comes in. It allows you to see beyond the surface behaviors and understand the motivations and challenges driving those behaviors.
In a business context, this means recognizing that employees are not just cogs in a machine but individuals with their own goals, fears, and motivations. By using insight to understand these dynamics, you can create a more supportive and productive work environment.
The Strategic Value of Insight
Insight isn’t just about interpersonal relationships; it has significant strategic value as well. In highly regulated industries, for example, compliance and IT must work closely together to ensure that systems are both secure and compliant. This requires a deep understanding of both the technical and regulatory landscapes, as well as the ability to anticipate and address potential conflicts.
By using insight to navigate these complexities, businesses can develop more effective strategies that align with their goals while also meeting regulatory requirements. This holistic approach not only reduces risk but also enhances overall performance and resilience.
Turning on Your Insight
The power of insight in business cannot be overstated. It’s about seeing with the eyes of your mind, recognizing the hidden dynamics that influence decisions, and connecting deeply with people. Whether it’s understanding the underlying reasons for resistance from another department, empathizing with colleagues, or navigating the complexities of regulatory compliance, insight is a vital tool for success.
At MKP Strategies, I help organizations harness this power by providing the tools and training needed to develop deeper insights into their operations and relationships. I strongly believe that with the right guidance, any organization can turn on its insight and navigate the complexities of the modern business landscape more effectively.
In fact, it’s why I often provides trainings and workshops for businesses of all sizes on this very topic! If you’re interested in learning more about what this training session entails, or bringing me in to speak to your organization’s leaders or teams, let’s connect.
Remember, business is not just about processes and numbers; it’s about people working together towards a common goal. By encouraging empathy and insight, we can create more resilient, empathetic, and successful organizations. If you’re ready to unlock the power of insight in your business, there’s never been a better time to reach out to explore how we can work together to achieve your goals.
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