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

The fifth is Rose-Colored Glasses. Briefly, “Looking with rose-colored glasses sees the potential that may not be reading apparent when using the other looking glasses. This view looks past readily apparent flaws to observe the opportunities that could be and maybe should be there.”

Exempla:

o “Forget the flaws. Envision how it would look if the concept were tweaked a bit.”

o “With the right modifications, this is something we could definitely emulate.”

o “I don’t like the execution, but look at the way they tried to do it here.”

o “He’s not much to look at now, but he has great potential.

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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. 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).