In Look: A Practical Guide for Improving Your Observational Skills, Jim Gilmore identifies 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 first is binoculars. Briefly, “This type of looking determines what may be worth examining with other looking glasses. Binocular looking involves taking a step or two back ward from the situation and picking up a vantage point to better observe the overall scene.”

Exemplas:

o “Scan the scene. Survey everything to see the options for further exploration.”

o “She’s just looking to see what is there before probing any further.”

o “We’re too close to the situation. Let’s step back and look at this from a distance.”

o “Find a place to take in all the action from the best vantage point.”

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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. Gilmore 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).