Skip-Reading: A New Way to Shift Perspective

A simple shift in viewpoint can change how we see a problem, how we make decisions, and ultimately, how we define what is real and when it becomes real.

This post is inspired by a technique called “skipreading,” a surrealist approach where one rapidly scans a text, intuitively selecting words and phrases to form a new poetic narrative. The artist Frederick Sommer (1905–1999), an Italian-born American known for his groundbreaking work in photography, drawing, painting, and collage, embraced and promoted this method as part of his creative process.

The beauty of this technique is that it forces your mind to break out of linear thinking and detach from preconceived ideas. By introducing randomness, you remove the pressure to find meaning upfront, allowing new connections to emerge naturally.

I applied this method in a visual way by randomly selecting five images from my vast photo library, without an agenda, and asking myself: What’s the first word that comes to mind?

That word was perspective.

The Power of Shifting Perspective

Our perspective is shaped by where we stand, both literally and figuratively. A seat in the audience gives a different experience than being on stage. Driving a car feels different from sitting in traffic. A landmark that fascinates tourists can feel ordinary to a local who passes it daily.

Perspective isn’t just about where we are physically. It is also shaped by time, experience, and our role in a given moment. The ability to shift perspectives and see from multiple vantage points is a powerful tool in business, leadership, and life. Here’s what we can learn from looking at the world differently.

1. Stage vs Seats. Seeing Both Sides of the Spotlight

Watching a performance and being in one are two entirely different experiences. As an audience member, you see the polish, the spectacle, and the magic of a seamless production. But for the performers, there’s a different reality. Stage lights obscure the crowd, lines must be delivered flawlessly, and timing is everything.

The same applies to leadership. It’s easy to critique decisions from the audience, but stepping onto the stage to lead a company, a project, or a movement reveals a different reality. The lesson? True understanding comes from both observing and participating.

2. Driver vs. Traffic. Who’s in Control?

Driving gives a sense of control. You decide when to speed up, slow down, or change lanes. But from the perspective of a pedestrian or another driver, you are just another car in the mix.

This is a powerful metaphor for decision-making. Leaders often operate from the driver’s seat, making strategic moves, while employees or customers may feel like they’re just along for the ride. Stepping out of the driver’s seat and seeing things from another point of view—how policies, timelines, or changes impact others—can lead to better decisions. Perspective shapes empathy.

3. Tourist vs. Local: : The Familiar vs. The Extraordinary

When we travel, we marvel at historic landmarks, beautiful skylines, and iconic spaces. But what about the people who live there? For them, that famous building is just the place they pass on their way to work.

As a young child, I grew up across the street from a landmark that school groups visited on field trips. For them, it was an experience worth traveling for. For me, it was just the large building across the street where we played on the grounds when no one was there because the yard was bigger.

This contrast reminds us that what is extraordinary to one person is ordinary to another. In business, we may underestimate the value of what we know or what we offer simply because it’s familiar to us. Seeing it through fresh eyes can reveal its true impact. Alternatively, we may overestimate what we know and lose the opportunity to learn something new.

4. Old vs. New: How Time Rewrites Innovation

Innovation isn’t just about what’s new; it’s about what it changes. A person seeing a vintage film projector for the first time today might view it as an antique, something novel but obsolete. But for someone who lived through its debut, it wasn’t just a device. It was a game-changer, transforming how stories were shared and experienced.
I remember when TiVo was released. It didn’t just add a new feature; it fundamentally changed how people consumed television. Before TiVo, watching TV meant being tied to a schedule, catching a show as it aired or missing it entirely. The ability to pause live TV, rewind, and record shows on demand felt revolutionary at the time. Now, in an era of on-demand streaming, it’s easy to overlook just how much of a leap that was.
The same is true in business and technology. What seems incremental or outdated in hindsight was once a breakthroughfor the people experiencing it in real time. The lesson? Innovation isn’t just about the product; it’s about the distance it moves us forward from where we were before. Recognizing this helps us appreciate past advancements, stay open to new ideas, and understand that every “antique” was once cutting-edge.

5. Bird’s Eye vs. Ground View: : Shifting Your Focus

There’s a difference between standing in a city and seeing it from a skyscraper. On the ground, you navigate street by street, turn by turn. From above, you see the entire layout—the connections, the neighborhoods, and the patterns.

The same applies to problem-solving. When you’re too deep in the details, everything feels urgent and chaotic. But zooming out provides clarity, showing how everything fits together. Leaders must balance big-picture thinking with ground-level execution. Too much of either, and you lose your way.

Shifting Perspective is a Superpower

The ability to see from multiple perspectives is more than an intellectual exercise; it is a powerful tool for better decision-making, deeper empathy, and smarter leadership. Shifting your perspective changes how you see the world, shapes your actions, and ultimately transforms reality.

What seems impossible from one angle may be entirely achievable from another. The key is to step outside your default viewpoint, challenge your assumptions, and ask: What am I missing from where I stand?