What is the name of the process that involves stepping back from an issue to gain perspective?

The process of stepping back from an issue to gain perspective is best described as big picture thinking. This approach allows individuals to move beyond immediate details and complexities, enabling them to see the broader context of the issue at hand. By adopting this perspective, a leader can assess how various elements interact and influence each other, which is essential for effective decision-making and long-term planning.

Big picture thinking encourages a holistic view, often involving consideration of how specific actions might align with overarching goals or objectives. This perspective helps in identifying potential opportunities and challenges that might not be apparent when focusing too narrowly on details.

In contrast, critical thinking emphasizes the analysis and evaluation of information and arguments but does not specifically denote stepping back to consider a larger context. Reflective analysis typically involves looking back at past experiences to draw conclusions and learn from them, while strategic evaluation focuses on assessing strategies and their effectiveness, which may involve some level of big picture thinking but doesn't explicitly capture the essence of gaining perspective as the correct response does.