We often believe we are seeing things objectively. That we are taking a step back, looking at the situation as it is.
But are we?
Even in the same environment, people notice different things. Not because they are careless—but because they are looking for different things.
Recently, I read a book about how animals perceive the world. It described how different species focus only on what matters for their survival.
One example stayed with me.
A swallowtail butterfly does not simply fly around at random. It constantly searches for sunlight.
Its field of vision is very limited—about one meter. Within that narrow range, it keeps moving toward bright areas and avoids shadows.
Why?
Because the trees it depends on—citrus trees—grow in sunny places.
That is where it lays eggs.
That is where the next generation survives.
Even its mating opportunities exist there.
For the butterfly, large trees, shaded fields, or flowing rivers may exist—but they are simply not part of its world.
Reading this, I found it difficult to laugh at how “narrow” its view might seem. Because I may not be so different.
In my daily work, I notice how quickly my attention goes to what I expect to see—facial expressions, tone of voice, whether things are going as planned.
If things match my expectations, I feel at ease. If not, I feel tension.
But am I really observing the situation? Or just checking whether reality fits what I want to see?
After more than 20 years of working across cultures, I am still surprised by what others notice—and what they don’t.
At times, it feels like a gap.
At other times, it feels like discovering a completely different world.
Perhaps we are all navigating with our own “one-meter view.” And maybe, understanding what others can see—and what they cannot—is where real collaboration begins.
Are We Really Seeing Things Objectively?
