A8, Miss. H6, Miss. B26, Hit. The Framing Will Change How You Move.
- Nov 15, 2025
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 25
Wait Battleship Doesn’t Have That Many Rows.
This isn’t just about Battleship, even though there are similar unknowns.
From a young age, I gravitated toward creative activities, rather than board games. I loved creating different backstories for my Polly Pockets or fairy houses on the forest floor, outside from tree trunks. The “setting up” was always the best part. Creating the why for all the fictional characters. A large part of this mindset was due to my environment.
Growing up as an Asian American in a rural town, I looked different from everyone else. The idea of belonging seemed like a larger barrier to me; I believed it didn’t come as naturally. As a result, I keyed into how the majority was behaving around me, all the words between the lines. An important distinction was not because I wanted to look like them, but because I hoped to be understood by them. For certain individuals, I was likely the first Asian they had befriended—it was not a diverse area.
The why mindset grew with me as I grew up. Why did they cut me off on the road? Why are they not making eye contact? Why do they keep checking their phone constantly? Reading between the lines takes attention, but it reaches a mutual understanding and authentic connection faster.
Today, I’m looking up at these huge buildings located next to Salesforce HQ. Noticing units with their lights on, allowing the everyday passerby to get a glimpse at their dinner party, or flashing colors from their film. What is going through my head?
Why. What can I learn between their lines to better understand their actions, behavior, and worldview? Similar to Battleship, you won’t know until you ask or key into their decisions to sink the correct ship. In this case, I cannot ask; however, observations build patterns and form my understanding of the culture.
The concept of belonging has been increasingly focused on in the workplace and social culture. Networks are only as strong as their active connectors. As you continue to build your sense of belonging, reading between the lines will accelerate your ability to find your people. Engage a creative why framework to sink their ships (in this case that is a positive!), allowing them to reveal their true self—critical for a proper understanding and relationship building.
Do you have another framework that works for you? Reach out, we would love to hear about it.
Stay Curious Out There!
