The Eyes of a Leader: Seeing What Others Miss

In the world of leadership, opportunity isn't some magical bolt of lightning from the sky. It doesn't show up with a big neon sign flashing, "This is your moment!" Most of the time, opportunities walk in quietly. No fanfare. No parade. Just a whisper that says, "If you're paying attention, this is your chance." But here's the kicker — most leaders never hear that whisper. Why? Because they're not looking for it.

Let me say it plain. If you're not actively looking for opportunities, you won't see them. And if you can't see them, you sure as hell won't act on them. John Maxwell nailed it when he said, "A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. Leaders should know more than others — but they should also see more than others." That's the difference between someone who holds a position of authority and someone who actually leads.

The Truth About Opportunity

Opportunity isn't rare. What's rare is the leader who trains their eyes to spot it, who develops the discipline to act on it, and who has the courage to turn it into progress — not just for themselves, but for their people. Leadership is a growth game. You either take the opportunity to grow or you stall out, get comfortable, and eventually fade out. Great leaders know this: every conversation, every challenge, every failure, and every win carries the seed of a new opportunity.

I will share a personal story that recently happened about having a totally different mission but seeing that other opportunities presented themselves and how it improved my personal growth.

I was scheduled to get a haircut and it was in the usual retail location with many shops. Traffic was lighter than usual, so I arrived several minutes early. I could have done what most of us do: go in, get on my phone and surf away, but instead, I walked across the street to a Barnes and Noble and started browsing at the books. I wasn't looking for any book in particular, but I was in the Self-Help and Business section. I came across Mel Robbins' new book, "Let Them". It was interesting and the concept was intriguing; it made me think about how we often let things bother us that are out of our control.

My appointment was fast approaching and I made it on time, but after my haircut, I went back to Barnes and Noble and found another book by Erik Larson, "Demon of Unrest", about the attack on Fort Sumter. I bought this one. Now why does this matter? Because it is exactly what I am talking about. Taking advantage of opportunities that you may not see unless you are looking for them. It wasn't planned, but the result was me increasing my intellectual capital by taking the time to see the book store. We never know when an opportunity may present itself. Look for them. But it takes intentional vision to see it.

Why Most Leaders Miss Opportunities

Here are the biggest culprits:

Comfort Zone – They're too busy protecting what they've built to risk stepping into something uncertain.

Tunnel Vision – They're so locked into their routine that they miss the bigger picture.

Fear of Failure – They see opportunity, but talk themselves out of it because the "what ifs" are louder than the "why nots."

Inattention – They're simply not looking. And let's be real — if you're not looking for better, you won't find better.

Time - They never take the time to slow down enough to see themselves.  

How to Start Seeing Opportunities

1. Shift Your Focus

   Start asking better questions:  

   "How can I grow from this?"  

   "What lesson is here for me or my team?"  

   "Who needs a challenge or a stretch right now?"

2. Look for the Gaps

   Opportunity often hides in the problems. The pain points. The places that frustrate you. Don't avoid the mess — inspect it. There's gold in the gaps.

3. Listen Deeply

   Opportunities show up in conversations, in complaints, in quiet moments when someone says, "I wish we could..." That's your cue to lead.

4. Stay Curious

   Curiosity is the radar of leadership. Don't assume you know it all. Look around. Ask questions. Seek out new perspectives.

Turning Opportunity into Action

Let's not just talk the talk. Let's walk it.

1. Identify It

   Call it out. Write it down. Bring it into the light. An opportunity not named is an opportunity lost.

2. Strategize It

   Build a plan. What resources do you need? Who needs to be involved? What's the first step?

3. Own It

   Don't wait for permission. If you see something worth chasing, lead the charge. Leaders don't need a memo — they need a mission.

4. Empower Others Through It

   Bring your people with you. Use the opportunity to stretch them. Challenge them. Grow them. Don't hoard the moment — share the momentum.

Final Thought

Being a leader isn't about having all the answers. It's about seeing what others miss — the hidden moments, the untapped potential, the quiet opportunities that could change everything. Start looking more closely, ask different questions, and train yourself to notice what’s not immediately visible. That’s where real leadership begins.

- Dean Crisp