Seeing the Same Place Differently: Lessons in Perspective
When I was little, the airport was magic. It was either the happiest place on earth when my uncle arrived in Columbus or the saddest place on earth when he left. It was endless entertainment when I got to play on the walking escalators and watch airplanes with my mom.
In high school, the airport became something different. It was my getaway—a place where I could forget about the world for a while. I’d park near the fence line, tune out the noise, and watch planes take off into the clouds, sometimes for an entire day. It was peaceful, inspiring, and full of dreams. I even brought a few dates here to share that same view of possibility.
Then one day, I got a job here.
At first, I saw things I had never noticed before—the trash along the roadways, the forgotten cups by the fence, the debris that I was now responsible for picking up. Later, as a landscaper, I saw weeds where I used to see wildflowers. I noticed the grass heights, the mulch volcanos, and the trees that needed trimming.
When I became an operator, I started noticing the cracks in the pavement—the ones I had sealed myself—and every small imperfection that once went unseen. I thought less about the planes and more about the process: how to remove snow in the fewest passes, how to keep things efficient and safe.
Now, in operations, I see even more layers. I notice when a plane parks at the wrong gate. I think about airfield security, efficiency, and timing. I see the airfield not just as a place of arrivals and departures, but as a living system where every piece has a purpose.
And when I do terminal inspections, I play a little game: How many perspectives can I see this place from?
I imagine being a custodian—seeing the dirt on the floors, the trash left behind, the dust on the surfaces, or the smudges on the windows. Then I think like building maintenance—spotting every lightbulb that’s out, noticing the worn carpet, or remembering how a jet bridge can be pushed just a little too far and stop working.
It’s changed the way I look at everything.
That’s what perspective does—it changes what we see, but more importantly, how we see.
In leadership, just like at the airport, your view evolves as your role does. When you’re new, you might only see the big picture—the excitement, the vision, the “why” behind it all. But as you grow, you start to notice the details: the people behind the process, the small cracks that need fixing, and the systems that make everything run smoothly.
Different perspectives are important because they fill in the gaps that one person alone could never see.
The custodian sees what the traveler overlooks. The operator sees what the pilot doesn’t. The leader sees how every one of those roles connects to make something bigger work. When we learn to see through different eyes, we start making better decisions—not just for ourselves, but for the people around us.
So here’s my challenge to you: make it a game.
The next time you walk into school, work, or even your favorite coffee shop—try to see it from a new perspective. What would a janitor notice? What would a manager see? What would someone walking in for the first time think?
Because when you start seeing things through new eyes, you don’t just understand the world better—you lead it better.
Key Takeaways
Perspective reveals what you can’t see alone. Every role offers insight into something others might miss.
Leadership grows with awareness. The more perspectives you understand, the more intentional and informed your decisions become.
Empathy builds strong teams. Seeing the world through others’ eyes helps you value their work and experiences.
Details matter. Growth often starts when you notice what others overlook—just like the cracks in the runway.
Make perspective a habit. Challenge yourself to see familiar places in new ways; it keeps your leadership sharp and your mindset humble.
We believe that giving students, the leaders of today, the opportunity to serve and make an impact will create vision and entrepreneurship for a better tomorrow.
Contact us to learn more about our mission and work, or to become involved yourself at
And come back the second Tuesday of each month for a new blog post!
