I loved reading these words from Sandi Toksvig:

“When I was a student at Cambridge, I recall an anthropology professor displaying a picture of a bone that had 28 cuts sliced into it and putting it up for the class to see. She went on to explain that many people believe that this was man's first effort at creating a calendar. While we were being very responsible and writing this down, she took a pause.

Let me ask you this: What kind of man has to mark off 28 days? I would hazard a guess and say that this is a woman's initial attempt at creating a calendar.

It was a turning point in my life that I'll never forget. In that same instant, practically everything regarding the history that I had been instructed in began to raise questions in my mind. How frequently had I ignored the contributions that women had made?”

I like the metaphorical term "balcony moment" for this kind of realisation. It means taking a step back from a situation to see it more objectively and with a broader view.

Balcony Moments

As a coach, I have utilised the concept of the balcony and dancefloor as a framework to help individuals make sense of challenging situations, particularly when they feel overwhelmed. I support them in imagining going out onto a balcony and looking down at what's going on below. They learn how to see a bigger picture that they can't see when they're ‘on the floor’ of the action.

Helping people learn how to step back and gain perspective from their immediate, subjective views enables them to look at things from a different angle. It makes it easier to identify the various factors and dynamics at play, which helps in making more informed decisions about the actions to take. Most importantly, it gives people a break from getting "caught" in a dance on the dance floor, where they might end up face down, covered in dirt, being walked over, and ultimately not able to get up.

Insight and wisdom from the balcony

In practical terms, a balcony moment is about gaining insight into the broader context, the different stakeholders involved, and the potential consequences of various actions. This perspective is invaluable for leaders who need to navigate complex scenarios and make decisions that consider both the immediate and long-term implications for their team, organisation, or community.

Effective leaders are skilled in gaining a "balcony" perspective. Instead of being caught in repetitive dances of errors, they increase their skills in:

• Making progress rather than being ‘right’

• Deep listening and effective questioning

• Shifting from polarised thinking that goes nowhere, and

• Altruism rather than the defence of ego.

As soon as you notice you are dancing a part without a perspective on

the bigger dance, dive into your first aid bag for a methodology that takes you up on the balcony. Feelings of overwhelm will be the ‘headache’ that will seize your attention!

In the context of managing and leading, different 'balconies' represent various levels or perspectives from which you can observe and understand what is happening. To get started, there are different questions you can ask of yourself and others that will get you climbing the rungs onto the next balcony.