The Zoom-In & Zoom-Out Tool for Life

On a mobile phone or camera, the zoom-in feature is used to capture the picture of a specific object, ignoring everything else around it. On the other hand, the zoom-out feature allows you to capture a wider area, covering many objects in one frame.

This is a photography technique — but did you know we use the same approach with our minds when making judgments about people, situations, and organizations?

Everyday Examples

Imagine this: You’ve always supported a close friend through their difficult times. But one day, when you’re unable to meet their expectations in a tough situation, they tell you that you’re “irresponsible” or “disloyal.” At that moment, your friend has zoomed in too much, focusing only on that single incident instead of looking at your overall history of kindness and support. A fairer judgment would be to zoom out and consider your entire track record.

Another case: A friend complains that tires from company ABC-Tires are the worst because one of his tires burst within three months of purchase. Without further thought, you decide the company must be terrible. But here’s the flaw — the company sells thousands of tires daily. If defects were that common, the brand wouldn’t even be on the market. It’s also possible your friend’s tire burst due to a sharp object on the road. Again, you’ve fallen into the zoom-in trap by focusing only on one negative incident.

This doesn’t mean ignoring the problem completely. It simply means not rushing to an all-positive or all-negative conclusion. Balanced judgment comes from weighing all the facts — zooming in where needed, but also zooming out to see the bigger picture.

Professional Applications

The Zoom-In/Zoom-Out technique is just as useful in the workplace:

Zoom-In for Management: When presenting to leadership, sometimes you need to highlight overlooked details. For example, if your project is criticized for going over budget, you can zoom in to explain the micro-level expenses that justify the cost.
Zoom-Out for Staff: When guiding field teams, zooming out helps them see the big picture. By showing them how their daily tasks connect to larger project goals, you expand their perspective and encourage maturity in their work.

The Takeaway

Before forming conclusions — in life or at work — pause and ask yourself: Am I zooming in too much? Am I zooming out enough?

Too much zoom-in may cause you to judge unfairly.
Too much zoom-out may make you miss critical details.
Sometimes, the neutral view you already have is the best perspective.

Remember, small errors in judgment can lead to big misunderstandings. Use the zoom-in/zoom-out tool wisely, and your decisions will be more balanced, fair, and accurate.

— Article by Junaid Tahir