Why every business leader needs an anthropologist’s mindset

When Gillian Tett joined the Walker Webcast, she discussed the power of anthropology to decode the unseen forces that shape our world and influence our decisions. That conversation inspired me to dive deeper into her book, Anthro-Vision: A New Way to See in Business and Life, which offers a powerful framework for understanding complexity and change through a new lens.

As someone who works at the intersection of people, data, and capital, I found her message fascinating and profoundly relevant. Tett argues that anthropology, the study of human cultures and rituals, can equip today’s leaders with the tools to navigate uncertainty, identify unseen risks, and build more resilient organizations.

What is anthro-vision?

Tett defines "anthro-vision" as the ability to observe social systems with the trained eye of an anthropologist. Rather than assuming we know how people behave, it asks us to pause and observe, uncovering patterns in what’s unsaid, overlooked, or taken for granted.

This mindset proved invaluable during Tett’s early career covering financial markets for the Financial Times. Long before the 2008 financial crisis, her anthropological training led her to question the “tribal” norms on Wall Street and the unchecked rise of credit derivatives. While many focused on spreadsheets, she listened to cultural cues and sounded an early alarm.

Lessons for business and leadership

The book is full of stories that demonstrate how anthro-vision can transform how we work, lead, and solve problems. One particularly compelling example comes from the consumer goods industry. Tett describes how Procter & Gamble embedded anthropologists in consumers' homes to observe their everyday behaviors. What they found—such as how people actually use cleaning products—shaped product design in ways market surveys never could.

For leaders in commercial real estate, finance, and housing, this approach is just as valuable. When we analyze economic data through the lens of the lived experiences of residents, tenants, and investors, we make more informed decisions. At Walker & Dunlop, we often talk about looking around the corner, anticipating shifts in capital markets, demographics, and policy. Anthro-vision gives us another way to do that.

The power of an outsider’s perspective

One of the book’s most enduring messages is that stepping outside your professional “tribe” can unlock breakthrough thinking. Whether you're a developer trying to understand community needs or an institutional investor rethinking risk models, Tett encourages leaders to adopt a beginner’s mind. Ask questions. Listen deeply. Be curious about what you don’t see.

In a complex market environment marked by volatility, transformation, and heightened social awareness, those skills are more than nice to have. They’re essential.

Why this matters now

At Walker & Dunlop, we serve clients across the real estate lifecycle, from financing affordable housing to advising on major investment sales. Each transaction is shaped by more than interest rates and NOI projections. Cultural dynamics, stakeholder behaviors, and long-standing assumptions all play a role. Anthro-vision helps us account for those “soft” factors with the same rigor we bring to underwriting.

As the housing crisis deepens, the ability to truly understand communities, not just serve them, is critical. As Tett writes, “You cannot truly understand the world unless you are willing to see it from another point of view.”

Watch Tett’s Antho-vision in action

Anthro-Vision is a guide to seeing clearly in a noisy world. It challenges professionals across industries to embrace empathy, curiosity, and the courage to look beyond the obvious. I highly recommend it for anyone seeking a new way to lead, innovate, and understand the forces shaping our future.

As we continue our mission to empower clients and strengthen communities, Tett’s insights remind us to keep asking: What might we be missing, and who else’s eyes might help us see?

To see Tett talk about the power of anthro-vision in her own life and work, be sure to watch her on the Walker Webcast.