We've all sat in meetings where the loudest voice wins, not because their idea is best, but because nobody paused to consider what the quiet person in the corner might be thinking.
Or we've made a decision that felt rock-solid in the moment, only to realize later we'd completely missed an angle that now seems obvious.
The problem isn't that we're bad at thinking, it's that we're often thinking from only one vantage point.
“Perspective taking” is the deliberate practice of stepping into someone else's mental shoes to understand their thoughts, feelings, and reasoning. It's not just empathy (though that's part of it) - it's actively reconstructing how another person sees a problem, what constraints they're working with, and what matters to them.
When we're solving problems or making decisions, this shift in viewpoint can reveal blind spots we didn't know existed.
Perspective taking involves multiple cognitive processes:
understanding others' emotional states
recognizing their thought patterns
and managing our own reactions
The encouraging part? These skills appear to be trainable, not fixed traits we either have or don't.
We tend to assume our view of a situation is the complete picture, but research involving over 1,600 Twitter users found that even brief perspective-taking exercises may increase cognitive empathy and reduce polarized thinking. When we're stuck on a decision, it's often because we're circling the same mental territory over and over, wearing deeper grooves in our existing viewpoint.
Before finalizing your next significant decision, deliberately map out how three different people would see it.
Not just "what would they choose" but "what information would they prioritize, what would they worry about, what would they dismiss as irrelevant?"
If you're deciding whether to pivot a project, consider the perspective of someone who's invested months in the current direction, someone who'll inherit the work if you change course, and someone who has no stake in either outcome.
You can also use this when you're genuinely stuck. Write out the problem from the viewpoint of someone who'd make the opposite choice from your instinct.
What would they notice that you're missing?
What would they consider a feature that you're treating as a bug?
Stop treating other perspectives as obstacles to overcome and start seeing them as additional data points that make your decision more robust.
You're not abandoning your own judgment, you're stress-testing it against reality as others experience it.
Did this resonate with you? Forward it on to someone who could use it too. These insights are better when shared.
Cheers,
Alex
Disclaimer: I'm a curious researcher, not a licensed psychologist. I study these concepts because I believe understanding how our minds work can help us navigate life more effectively. This content is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional advice. Please consult qualified professionals for personal guidance. Individual results may vary, and readers should use their own judgment when applying these concepts.