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Looking Right and Left

Looking Right and Left

Some years ago I flew a World War II naval training fighter around Newport. I have no pilot’s license, but have managed to fly a Cessna, the only B-24 in existence certified to fly, and the Goodyear Blimp.

The trainer pilot sat behind me, and we did loops and barrel rolls with me just following his instruction. I can’t take off or land, but once you’re in the air you can do pretty well just following a couple of gauges and using your head.

We were flying straight and he’d say to me, “Swing to the left,” then, “Swing to the right.” After the third time, I said, “Why are we doing this?”

“What do you see straight ahead of you?” he asked.

“I see the instrument panel.”

“Can you see out the windshield?”

“No.”

“How do you know there’s not something headed directly for you?”

“I’m going to swing right and left again.” And I did, repeatedly.

Are you looking right and left to determine what may be in front of you? We’re often purblind to what is about to smack us in the nose because we’re distracted, blasé, or arrogant. However, being so engrossed in stimuli and information under our nose often prevents us from looking up.

Opportunity is all around us. I keep telling consultants that what they regard as threat is really opportunity, and what they aren’t bothering to see is missed opportunity.

Change your course, alter your bearing. Make sure you see what’s coming at you.

In best case, it’s opportunity, but in worst case you don’t want to crash and burn. As it turns out, barrel rolls are easy, but it’s the daily level flying that can be tough.

© Alan Weiss 2012

Written by

Alan Weiss is a consultant, speaker, and author of over 60 books. His consulting firm, Summit Consulting Group, Inc., has attracted clients from over 500 leading organizations around the world.

Comments: 1

  • Mitch Jackson

    December 22, 2012

    Sometimes when I’m engaged in long jury trials, I have my co-pilot look left and right for me. That way, when I get back to base, she can brief me on what I’ve missed 🙂 BTW, I also use to do the same thing while hang gliding except up and back.

    Looking forward to our Spreecast on Jan 3rd about your new book w/ Chad Barr, “Million Dollar Web Presence.” Should be a blast!

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