In Look: A Practical Guide for Improving Your Observational Skills, Jim Gilmore identfies and then examines what he characterizes as six “looking glasses” to help people more fully and more richly observe the world around them.

I agree with him: “What we look at informs what we think about, which then informs what we act upon.”

The second is bifocals. Briefly, “This type of looking either pairs obvious opposites, or it looks for not-so-obvious combinations to pair as opposites. Bifocals then alternates between these two different or opposing views.”

Exempla:

“Let’s contrast/compare what it looks like from opposite ends of the room.”

“It does look impressive at night, but we should return to see it during the day.”

“Contrast the big ones on the shelf with the small versions behind the counter.”

“We should watch how the children react with and without supervision.”

* * *

James Gilmore is co-founder of Strategic Horizons LLP and co-author of The Experience Economy: Work Is Theatre & Every Business a Stage, now published in 13 languages. He is also co-editor of Markets of One: Creating Customer-unique Value through Mass Customization, and Authenticity: What Consumers Really Want. Prior to founding Strategic Horizons LLP, Gilmore was head of CSC Consulting’s Process Innovation practice. His latest book, Look: A Practical Guide for Improving Your Observational Skills, was published by Greenleaf Book Group (August 2016).