The expression “cannot” to see the forest through the trees implies that the person or company cannot see the larger view because the attention is excessively focused on specifics. It’s like who needs to paint the entire home in a single day, only to spend half the day picking the correct shade.
What’s the meaning behind “Can’t See the Forest Through the Trees?”
A conversation I had just a few days back sparked my thoughts on the phrase “can’t be able to see through the woods.” When I was researching definitions for the expression, I came across the following:
Urban Dictionary defines the expression as someone so simple in their thinking that they cannot solve the most simple of issues. Their minds are large empty spaces that are devoid of any logical thought. That’s why although they perceive the forest, their primitive minds aren’t able to comprehend that it’s the forest.
Many people say they don’t see the forest for the trees.’ The phrase implies that they are focused on the specifics of something that they do not or fail to appreciate the true purpose or significance of the situation. When you are focused on a problem’s small particulars, you forget about the bigger picture or focus on the trivial instead of the essential aspects. In the end – you don’t see the bigger overall picture.
This is why I’ve thought about the term incorrectly for quite a while based on the previous. Perhaps there’s a fresh twist, a new definition, and a different way of thinking about the forests and the trees. My task is convincing C-Level managers that there might be better methods to run their businesses. The process of selling these ideas is challenging to say the least, since, in most businesses, the processes, procedures, and equipment to run the business are already in place. Adding my cog, the company is intimidating at best. So why would you be the one to advocate for making changes to a system that has been working or functions effectively enough to be able to function for the moment?
However, a prerequisite for marketing value is finding the areas of an organization where it could be improved. Find a way of introducing an instrument that simplifies the current process, improves the flow of information, or solves an issue. Put – it is my responsibility to identify the trees that must be removed to improve the forest’s quality. Remove the “widow-makers.”
The thing I’m finding I’m finding is that the further up you get in an organization, the less information flow toward the highest levels. Everyday operations are designed to operate according to a certain way, but we know it’s not the case and that people can do things according to their ways to make things as simple as possible. These altered patterns cost businesses millions of dollars every year. This is what happens to the forests – the area constructed over time and populated by a variety of species of trees. It’s much simpler to manage the overgrown forest than go into the woods to remove the trees that serve nothing but no purpose.
Let me return to what I discussed a couple of days ago. The forest is dense, and the tools being used should be effective. But what was working ten years ago has to be redesigned, and when your primary goal is to expand your business, it’s often difficult to discern what’s happening on the street. It’s not the fault of anyone. It’s just how the world operates. This is why I am introducing to you “Tree Remover Extraordinary.” The forest is impossible without trees, but ensuring each tree is counted and serves a significant function is essential to running a profitable business.
References
“You can’t look at the wood for the trees. The proverbial proverb that continues was discovered within an anti-popist tract during the time of Charles II. From him who doesn’t see trees to build on/ And yet is as busy as bees/ He’s at peace on his land/ And is not for free”Libera nos. The Letany of S. triers 1682.”