The other role

Even if it’s only for a short while, play the other part.

If you’re normally a pitcher, play catcher.

If you give the orders, experience taking them.

If you’re the vendor, be a customer.

If you’re always a guest, try hosting.

When we take on the other role, we get a better understanding of both sides. When the tables are turned, we gain a perspective that we could never fully appreciate from our usual seat.

The reason “walk a mile in someone else’s shoes” endures is because it’s such a valuable exercise. Of course, it’s a lot easier to recite the phrase than it is to actually give it a try.

But if a mile is too far, perhaps we could give it a few steps just to learn a little.