To make wise decisions as a leader you must zoom out and view the big picture. Here are three types of bigger picture to keep in mind.

1. Zoom out from ideas to emotions. Be aware of feelings (yours and others) that affect the situation.
2. Zoom out from accounting cost to opportunity cost. Accounting cost is the direct cost of choosing a particular course of action. Opportunity cost is the value you are giving up in the best course of action you chose not to take.
3. Zoom out from the present to the long term. Henry Cloud says “play the whole movie”. Stephen Covey says “begin with the end in mind”. Don’t just look at what will happen tomorrow or next quarter if you choose A vs. B. Look at what will happen all the way down the line.