How often have you been told to “Get your head out of the details, look up, and strategize”?
Easier said than done. Mastering the details and attending to the loose ends is after all, in large part, what created your success.
Here is the problem: As a leader, the details are no longer yours to navigate. You have been hired to see what others can’t - to synthesize information, connect the dots, align skills, and orchestrate the dance of success.
When I was young, I spent a lot of time riding horses. Cross-country jumping was my favorite. The faster and higher the better. The skills required me to memorize the course, plan the approach, connect with the horse, and prepare for the next jump, even before completing the one prior. If you looked down at the jump, you were sure to fall.
When hiring great talent, the key is to focus on the details while ensuring they are positioned to succeed in their roles.You have been hired to anticipate the unexpected, see trends, and capitalize on opportunities.
The Fatal Flaws
Trust: “If I don’t do it, it won’t be done right.” How common is this phrase? This is where we need to bite our tongue, walk away, and trust the team. Assuming you hired brilliant people, your job is to set them free. Clarify what the guardrails are (i.e., negotiables and non-negotiables) and then step away. Your talent is more valuable elsewhere.
Thinking time: High-level leadership is heavy on strategy, and strategy often begins in your head. Honoring the time to think and brainstorm is incredibly valuable, which is all the more reason to allow for thinking time. A great podcast worth listening to is How to Create Space, hosted by Dave Stachowiak and features Juliet Funt.
“Space itself helps us to explore and expand possibilities.”
Ask questions: Many leaders think they need to know the answers, but they don’t. They need to ask great questions. As a leader, your job is to unlock potential and remove barriers by doing the following:
Hold listening sessions.
Ask another question before giving advice.
Leverage your connections to catalyze the advancement of ideas and action.
Reimagine your role: You're hired to think, navigate, strategize, connect, and inquire.
Have you positioned yourself in the right meetings?
Have you set your team up to leverage their natural strengths?
Does your calendar allow for time to lead?
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