When I think back to almost every moment that I’ve been in distress, when I was short with someone, yelled, got defensive to feedback, I was stuck in that moment.

I was unable to zoom out.

True to our instincts, when we’re under threat (Whether actual or perceived), we prioritize what’s right in front of us: Do I need to fight? Do I need to run?

And that makes sense. That’s survival. But when you zoom out of your instincts, out of the moment, and think back on those situations… Isn’t it true that you can see how your thinking brain got hijacked by your emotions?

That’s the pattern I’ve noticed in myself. And over time, I’ve come to realize that the ability to zoom in and out—to shift your focus with intention—is one of the most important leadership skills we need to develop.

I call it Dynamic Focus.

What Is Dynamic Focus?

Dynamic Focus is the practice of adjusting your mental lens in real time. It’s knowing when to zoom out—to step back, breathe, and see the bigger picture. And it’s knowing when to zoom in—to be fully present, engaged, and intentional in how you respond.

It’s not a permanent state. It’s a process.

And when I look back on the moments where I showed up well—when I was grounded, connected, and clear—it’s because I did both…

I zoomed out to reset.
I zoomed in to respond.

Zooming Out: The Power of Perspective

Sometimes we need to zoom out practically: to get out of our heads, to shake off the urgency, to remember this isn’t everything.

And sometimes, we need to zoom out existentially.

I’ve found myself in moments where I had to mentally leave the meeting, leave the building, leave the planet. You know those videos where the camera starts on a person, then zooms out past Earth, past the solar system, past the Milky Way?

That’s when I remember:

• I’m one person, on one planet, in one galaxy, in one universe.
• My title? My calendar? This conflict? It’s real—but it’s a speck.
• Billions of people have lived, led, stressed, and passed on. And here I am, getting stressed out over a deadline.

Zooming out gives you the gift of clarity. It reminds you of who you are—and who you don’t have to be.

Zooming In: The Power of Presence

But I can’t stay out in the stars forever. Eventually, I have to come back.

That’s what zooming in is for.

Once I’ve zoomed out, taken a breath, and remembered that I’m not the center of the universe. I can return to the moment with a different energy.

Not panic—purpose.

And when I zoom in well, here’s what happens:

• I see the person in front of me, not just the problem.
• I choose my next move with clarity, not instinct.
• I tune into what really matters—not just what’s loud.

There’s something in me that knows that, ultimately, the person in front of me matters more than a procedure. More than my schedule. More than being right.

I don’t have to explain it. But I can honor it.

Why Dynamic Focus Matters

We live in a world that tries to trap us in tunnel vision. Everything feels urgent. Everything feels personal.

But leadership—real leadership—isn’t just about pushing forward. It’s about knowing when to pause, shift your focus, and lead with intention.

Dynamic Focus helps you:

• Zoom out of ego, urgency, and overwhelm
• Zoom in on people, purpose, and what actually matters
• Move from reaction to response, from pressure to presence

It’s so easy—honestly, even instinctual—to get caught up in what’s right in front of us. We’re constantly trying to make sense of our environment and our place in it. So when stress hits, it’s natural to narrow our view. To focus on the deadline. The disagreement. The pressure.

But when we zoom out—out of our title, our role, our financial stress—we’re reminded just how small this moment really is.

And that’s not about escaping.

It’s about gaining perspective—so we can zoom back in with clarity, intention, and compassion.

Because the goal isn’t to live zoomed out. The goal is to live well.

To zoom in on what matters, with a clearer mind and a more open heart.