What happens when two people sit back-to-back and attempt to communicate the essence of an image without revealing what the image actually depicts? This simple yet profound exercise, known as “Through Another’s Eyes,” reveals a fundamental truth about leadership communication that extends far beyond the classroom.
Extensive leadership research confirms that communication remains one of the most important things leaders do. However, recent studies indicate that 67% of organizational project failures can be attributed to ineffective leadership communication, highlighting a critical gap in how leaders connect with their teams.
“Through Another’s Eyes” is an activity in our LEAD 201 course that demonstrates how effective communication transcends mere information transfer. Good communication requires leaders to understand perspectives different from their own. Empathy, defined as the ability to perceive and relate to the thoughts, emotions, or experiences of others, is a key part of emotional intelligence and leadership success. When leaders practice perspective-taking, they create environments where open communication, trust, and collaboration flourish.
For working professionals seeking to advance their leadership capabilities, the lesson is clear. Communication effectiveness hinges not on speaking more clearly, but on listening more deeply and seeing through others’ perspectives. In an era where 81% of employees report frequent organizational miscommunication, leaders who master perspective-taking communication create the foundation for organizational success.
Learn more about our Master of Science in Leadership: https://www.drake.edu/leadership/.
References
Andreev, K. (2022). Leadership communication best practices. Leadership Development Quarterly, 45(3), 12-18.
Harvard Business Publishing. (2024). 2024 Global Leadership Development Study: Transforming leadership for tomorrow. Harvard Business Review Press.
Neale, P. (2025, April 30). Empathy is a non-negotiable leadership skill. Here’s how to practice it. Harvard Business Review. https://hbr.org/2025/04/empathy-is-a-non-negotiable-leadership-skill-heres-how-to-practice-it
Vera, D., Banks, G. C., McDaniel, M. A., & Dickson, M. W. (2024). Fifty years of research on leader communication: What we know and where we are going. The Leadership Quarterly, 35(1), 101755.