Insider Intelligence: The Power of Perspective

Last year, I developed and executed more than 70 education sessions for the security industry. With that level of exposure, it is rare for a single idea to stand out strongly enough to become the lens through which I view leadership, learning, and engagement, but for me, 2026 will be the year of perspective.

Perspective has long shaped how I approach leadership, but it sharpened in a new way in 2025. Through conferences, leadership programs, and peer discussions, I began to notice that the most meaningful learning moments did not come from polished frameworks or expert instruction, but from leaders openly sharing how they saw a situation and listening to how others experienced it.

When perspective was surfaced and examined, assumptions loosened, dialogue deepened, and momentum followed. When there was none, conversations stalled.

Perspective as a Leadership Advantage

Perspective shapes how leaders interpret information, respond to conflict, prioritize work, and engage teams; in fact, two leaders can face the same pressure, the same constraints, and the same decision point and arrive at very different outcomes based on how they frame the situation in front of them.

From an executive’s lens, this distinction becomes even more consequential. Senior leaders are expected to move quickly, rely on experience, and make decisions with real impact. Over time, that experience builds instinct. The risk emerges when instinct goes unquestioned and quietly hardens into assumption.

Across leadership teams and organizations, progress stalls when assumptions replace inquiry. Leaders act on what they believe to be true, but without seeking or accepting different perspectives, those beliefs narrow judgment and limit options. Momentum returns when assumptions are surfaced, and perspective is intentionally expanded before action is taken.

Perspective Across the Organization

Perspective does not reside solely at the executive level; it shapes leadership at every level of an organization. Leaders who listen deeply, seek context, and remain open to different viewpoints consistently build stronger trust and alignment. A leader who interprets alternative views as defiance responds very differently. Perspective determines whether people protect themselves or contribute fully.

In cross-functional environments like security, this distinction matters. Sales, operations, project management, technicians, and leadership teams often approach the same challenge from different vantage points. When alternate viewpoints are ignored, silos deepen; when they are acknowledged, collaboration improves and execution strengthens.

Why it Matters Now

As organizations move through 2026, leaders are navigating increased complexity. Change is accelerating. Technology continues to evolve. Expectations around performance remain high. In that environment, experience and expertise alone are no longer sufficient.

Perspective creates space to pause, test assumptions, and make more intentional decisions. Leaders who lean into this approach ask better questions, invite dialogue, and create environments where people feel safe to contribute.

My invitation for 2026 is simple: embrace perspective more deliberately. Leaders who do will find greater clarity, stronger alignment, and more resilient teams. Perspective may not define leadership on its own, but in 2026, it has the potential to shape it in meaningful ways.