The Power of Perspective: What Are the Consequences of What You Do and How You Do It?

A typical article might choose to reveal the big question at the very end, wrapping it neatly into a grand ending. But not here. I’m putting it front and centre, where it belongs—because when it comes to perspective, the sooner you confront it, the greater the journey will be.

So here’s the question:

What are the consequences of what you do and how you do it?

Perspective shapes everything—from the choices we make to the way we interact with others, to the ways we teach, coach, and lead. When talking about perspective, we often have two avenues to explore:

• Shifting along our timeline: For instance, ask yourself, "What will the future me think about this?" or, "What would the version of me ten years ago say about my actions today?"

• Placing ourselves in someone else’s shoes: How does the world look from their vantage point? What might their needs and concerns be?

  
  

In schools, we all play roles: teachers, leaders, coaches, administrators, and students. Yet, we often overlook the impact of how we play those roles and the ripple effect of our actions. Every word, every behaviour, and every choice we make has a consequence. And just like an actor's delivery in a film, the way we execute our role dictates the outcome.

So let’s circle back: What are the consequences of what you do in your role, and how do you do it? This is not just a question for educators but for coaches, leaders, and anyone involved in shaping lives. At The Educational Coach, we believe that every conversation matters. How we engage in those conversations creates a ripple effect that shapes our interactions and the futures of those we serve.

A Call to Reflect on Teaching and Coaching

Teaching and coaching require an extensive toolkit—tools such as silence, storytelling, repetition, and feedback. Yet, each tool has a potential blind spot, an unintended consequence that can undermine our good intentions. It’s important to understand that no action exists in isolation.

Take this everyday example: You take your dog out earlier in the morning to give yourself more time for client meetings. A productive move, right? But what’s the hidden consequence? The dog might end up spending more time indoors and feeling restless. The same principle applies to teaching and coaching. Every approach we take carries both benefits and drawbacks, often unseen until we take the time to reflect.

For instance:

• Storytelling can be a powerful method for introducing new topics and engaging students. But what’s the blind spot? You might miss out on delivering clear, direct instructions that some learners need.

• Directive teaching helps ensure clarity, but does it leave enough room for creativity and exploration?

• Strengths-based feedback encourages confidence, yet if we neglect areas of weakness, how will growth happen in those critical spaces?

  
  

Even the coaching principle of avoiding direct advice has consequences. While it empowers individuals to find their own solutions, it may leave them feeling unclear on how to proceed.

And then there’s the question of timing. Consider the consequences of scheduling meetings late on a Friday afternoon. I think we can all agree on the outcome there: disengagement, frustration, or a rush to the weekend. The impact may seem minor, but it accumulates, affecting long-term morale and productivity.

The Power of Communication: Words, Actions, and Their Effects

A crucial area where perspective matters is how we communicate. Are you emailing your team after hours? If so, what's the impact on their work-life balance? Do they feel obligated to respond, even when they should be relaxing? Are you clear and specific in your feedback, or do vague comments leave others uncertain about how to improve?

Even something as simple as smiling can have profound consequences. A smile can uplift the energy of a room, inspire confidence, and foster connection. But what message are you unconsciously sending if you’re walking through the hallways deep in thought, without making eye contact or sharing a smile? That you’re unapproachable? Preoccupied? These are small but significant moments that shape how others perceive you and their sense of belonging.

The Empty Chair: Shifting Perspective to Prioritise Others

A powerful exercise in perspective comes from Jeff Bezos, who famously placed an empty chair at every meeting at Amazon. That chair represented the customer—the most important person in the room, even though they weren’t physically present. In education and coaching, we should ask ourselves: Who is sitting in our empty chair?

Is it the child? Is it the colleague we’re mentoring? Is it the parent? Too often, our actions are driven by the expectations of our supervisors, inspection boards, or even our internal judgments. But what if we intentionally framed our decisions and behaviours around the needs of the people we are truly there to serve? For example, are we teaching in a way that prioritises inspection criteria or are we genuinely meeting the needs of our students? The answer to this will shape the impact of your work.

To truly change perspective, we must let go of some of our biases and judgments. We need to challenge our assumptions about why we do what we do. Often, the reason is simple: we are trying to meet someone else's standards. But does that serve the student? The team? The school?

Reflecting on Blind Spots and the Consequences of Our Actions

I invite you to reflect on the following questions:

• What are your blind spots? What are you missing in your approach that could have unintended consequences?

• What are your "sliding doors" moments? What are the consequences of one door closing and another opening for you and others?

• And finally, the big question: What are the consequences of what you do and how you do it?

  
  

Perspective is powerful. It determines the course of our actions and the outcomes of our work. As educators and coaches, we must constantly check in with ourselves because every conversation, every decision, and every smile (or lack thereof) has a ripple effect. And it is within that ripple that our true impact lies.

So, take a moment to step back. Who is in your empty chair? What are the consequences of how you’re playing your role? And how can a shift in perspective open new doors for you and those you serve?

References: 

Maurer, R. (2012). The power of the empty chair. The Journal for Quality and Participation, 35(2), 10.