Collective Sight
What would it look like for your business, school, family or neighborhood to see people collectively?
In our home, the question “Who did you see today?” has changed the tone and nature of dinner table discussions. Whenever we ask, “What did you do at school today?” We usually get either “Nothing” or “Went to classes, recess, same stuff.” But the question, “Who did you see today?” is different. It prompts our kids to think about the actual people they encountered. Knowing they’ll be asked this question also encourages them to have an answer to the question the next day. If they know their mom and dad will listen to their responses and cheer them on, they’ll have their eyes up - off of their devices and onto the students around them…
Collective sight happens when two or more individuals come together in order to see people together better than they could do individually…
A person seeing another person is awesome. More than one individual coming together to see a person is even more powerful. “You thought of me!” is good. “You all thought of me!” is even better.
What if you began staff meetings with stories of people in your organization who see other people well? Throw out that question, “Who did you see today?” If they know you, as the leader, are going to ask, then they’ll be more likely to think of seeing others during the workday and even at home. Leaders demonstrate values by the questions we ask, and asking these questions costs us nothing and offers an incredible reward in our team culture…
Put someone in charge, someone in your organization needs to be the “Chief Care Officer”. Your company or organization could add as a part of your C-Suite a formal position charged with vetting and championing what collective sight will look like. They should be the go-to for enthusiasm, effectively communicating how you will impact the world beyond profits and scores. Collective work requires people., and people need care. The bigger the organization, the more care your organization will need. If you’re not able to create a formal position, maybe one person would love to be responsible for helping the company work together for the good of the community. Someone has to be the champion. We have leaders for everything we deem to be most important - facilities, accounting, human resources, research and development, and leadership… What do you want your organization to be known for? Producing great products? Excellent services? Certainly, but what if your organization was known for more? If your organization no longer existed, would the local community lament the loss?…
Demonstrate value for others such that you invest in the necessary people and positions to provide care for the people who make your organization go.
- Schadt, Dustin. (2024) Who Did You See Today?. B&H Publishing; (Pages 114-116&124)
