3 minutes 56 seconds of totality! Viewing the total solar eclipse from Richmond, Indiana on Monday April 8, 2024 was an awesome experience. If you were anywhere close to the “path of totality” I hope you took the time to witness the eclipse.

While “totality” was awesome to view with the naked eye, I’ve been thinking how important it was to “have the right lenses” to view what was happening before totality. The sun is so bright you can’t see the moon at all as it crosses the path of the sun unless you have the ISO certified eclipse viewing glasses. Not at 10% eclipsed, or 50% or 98%! When I pushed up the lenses for a brief glimpse it still appeared as full sun to the naked eye.

From a business perspective it made me realize I need the benefit of different lenses. Lenses like – frontline employees, trusted business advisors (CPA, attorney, banker – ok, executive recruiter), your business roundtable, perhaps a formal (meaning paid!) board of advisors. Any or all of these “lenses” when correctly applied will help you see what’s coming before it gets too dark.

I’ve become more involved with The Goering Center for Family and Private Business since the beginning of 2023 and their programs offer a great selection of lenses. https://business.uc.edu/about/centers-partnerships/goering/institutes.html.