The Day Everything Changed

Hi, I’m Jeff Pledger. I lost my sight, but I gained something most leaders never learn—how to see what really matters.

Most people wake up every morning expecting the world to look the same as it did the day before. I did too—until the day I couldn’t see it at all.

Losing my sight in my 20s to a near-fatal illness wasn’t just a personal challenge—it was a defining moment.

I had two choices: let it limit me or use it to fuel something greater.

I chose the latter.

From that day forward, I had to learn how to physically and mentally navigate a world designed for sighted people.

But what I discovered was more than just an adaptation—it was a completely new way of seeing.

One that had nothing to do with eyesight and everything to do with perspective. And that shift in perspective is what has driven me forward ever since.

Running Blind: The Decision That Changed Everything

Losing my sight could have been the end of my ambitions.

Instead, I made a radical decision: I was going to learn to run marathons. Not just one. Not just a few. Twenty-two marathons. Without sight.

Training to run without seeing the road ahead wasn’t just about endurance—it was about trust, adaptability, and pushing past self-imposed limits.

I had to rely on a guide runner—someone who would help me navigate obstacles I couldn’t see coming. I learned to anticipate, to feel the rhythm of the run, and to trust in my training.

That experience shaped how I approach life and business today. Success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about learning to navigate them in ways others don’t even consider.

That’s the power of seeing things differently.

The Relentless Pursuit of Excellence: From NYU to Lifelong Learning

While I was training my body to overcome barriers, I was also training my mind. I earned my Honors degree from New York University—a milestone that, for me, was about proving limitations only exist if you let them.

Academics weren’t just a pursuit. They were a commitment to understanding how to challenge conventional thinking and push boundaries. But my education didn’t stop with one degree—it became a lifelong discipline.

To stay ahead in a rapidly changing world, I’ve continuously expanded my knowledge to include a master’s degree from George Washington University, along with several post-graduate certificates in topics of interest to me.

I believe growth never stops for those willing to see things differently.

Where Learning Meets Leadership: A Journey of Corporate Growth

That same drive propelled me into a 25+ year career at Verizon, where I thrived in corporate America by applying the same principles I learned from running: strategy, adaptability, and a refusal to accept limitations.

Working in leadership, business strategy, and problem-solving at the highest levels, I helped shape operations, streamline systems, and create strategies that moved the business forward.

But something was missing.

I wasn’t just interested in success—I was interested in impact. And impact meant using my experiences to help others navigate their own obstacles.

Oliver: More Than a Service Dog—A True Partner in Strategy

Through every challenge, there’s been one constant in my life: my amazing guide dogs… first Vincenzo, then Oliver, Vinnie, and Joelle. My newest partner is another Oliver.

Oliver isn’t just a guide; he’s a strategist, a problem solver, and a trusted partner. The way we work together reflects exactly how businesses should approach leadership and growth.

1️) Anticipate, Don’t Just React – Oliver doesn’t wait for obstacles to appear—he senses them early and adjusts.

Businesses that react to challenges are already too late. The best companies anticipate shifts before the market demands them.

2) Trust the Process – When I give Oliver a command, I don’t second-guess him. I trust that he sees what I can’t.

Business leaders must do the same—hire great people, equip them with what they need, and trust them to navigate the course.

3) Stay Calm Under Pressure – A busy intersection, unexpected construction, or a sudden distraction—Oliver stays focused, and because of that, so do I.

The best business leaders maintain clarity, even in uncertainty.

The bond we share is built on trust, communication, and the ability to adapt—the same qualities every business needs to thrive.

Why Paying It Forward Matters

I didn’t get here alone. I had mentors, professors, guide runners, guide dogs, and opportunities that shaped my journey.

And now, I’m dedicated to paying that forward.

Business success isn’t just about profitability—it’s about impact. It’s about using what you’ve learned to help others grow.

Whether it’s through mentorship, consulting, or creating tools that empower businesses, my goal is to leave the world better than I found it.

I started See Things Differently because I’ve spent my entire adult life learning how to overcome limitations—both real and imagined.

Too many companies get stuck because they see problems as barriers instead of opportunities.

They resist change because the status quo feels safer.

Without a new perspective, businesses struggle to:

· Break through barriers that hold them back.

· Eliminate blind spots in strategy, marketing, and operations.

· Unlock new opportunities for growth by challenging conventional thinking.

Case Study: Turning Challenges into Innovation – The LEGO Success Story

In the early 2000s, LEGO faced near bankruptcy as digital gaming and entertainment pulled kids away from physical toys.

Many legacy brands might have doubled down on their traditional products, but LEGO chose a different path—it embraced the very disruption that threatened its survival.

Instead of seeing video games as the enemy, LEGO partnered with developers to create best-selling gaming experiences like LEGO Star Wars. It launched LEGO Mindstorms, blending its signature creativity with robotics and STEM learning.

Then, in a bold move, it took its storytelling to the big screen—and The LEGO Movie became a global phenomenon, reintroducing the brand to a new generation.

The Lesson? Businesses that survive disruption don’t resist change—they adapt it to their strengths. Like LEGO, leaders must see challenges as creative fuel, finding ways to evolve without losing their core identity.

Lessons to Learn from My Experiences

At every turn, life has given me a choice: see obstacles as barriers or as opportunities to grow. Losing my sight wasn’t the end of my vision—it was the beginning of something bigger.

It forced me to think differently, move forward without certainty, and trust in what I couldn’t yet see.

And these are the lessons I want to share:

· Most people view obstacles as roadblocks. But I’ve learned they’re just markers on the path to something greater.

· You don’t need to see the whole path to move forward. Trust yourself. Trust the process. Take the next step.

· Limitations only exist if you accept them. The real challenge isn’t what’s in front of you—it’s how you choose to perceive it.

· Success isn’t about avoiding obstacles—it’s about learning to navigate them.

In life… in business… and in leadership—those who thrive aren’t the ones with the clearest vision. They’re the ones who refuse to stop moving forward.

If you ever feel stuck, uncertain, or afraid of what’s ahead—remember, clarity comes with movement.

The way forward will always reveal itself, but only if you keep going.

Let’s See Things Differently Together

If you’re ready to challenge the way you see success—or if you’re looking for bold insights to drive real change—then let’s chat and exchange ideas.

Just like Oliver guides me with confidence through the unseen, I can help you anticipate challenges, uncover hidden opportunities, and navigate obstacles you didn’t even know were there.

It’s time to stop accepting limits—and start seeing possibilities.

Final Thoughts

Hopefully, this is just the beginning of our journey together.

Over the next few articles, I’ll dive deeper into breaking traditional business barriers and rethinking leadership models to future-proof your company’s success.

What’s stopping you today? And what if that “barrier” is actually an opportunity in disguise?

Stay tuned—because once you start seeing things differently—you’ll never look at business the same way again.