Yes, I realize I am a slow-adopter when it comes to technology. I took my first GPS-aided road trip this past weekend and the device literally drove me mad.
I believe it was through this experience that I came to realize why the topic of Visionary Leadership is such a passion of mine: I simply cannot stand the inability to see the larger picture and final destination.
Big Picture vs. Bird’s Eye View
In the case of following my GPS, this meant literally. If I wanted to be fully focused on the task-at-hand, such as driving 10 miles on Rt. 57 south and exiting at Exit 12, then it performed exceptionally and I could see exactly where I needed to go.
But if I wanted the bigger picture, such as how the route would wind through the State of Illinois, which state I’d enter next, and how it was taking me to my final destination – all from my current point of view – forget it. I had to keep pushing the “expand” button for it to give me the “bigger picture” (which, technically, you’re not supposed to do while driving) and then, when the picture was too big for the GPS’s taste, it took me to a birds-eye view instead.
I didn’t want the bird’s view; I wanted my view of where I was, where I was headed and what route I was taking to get there. I wanted it all mapped out in front of me so that I felt confident in the entire plan, thus enabling me to fully focus on the task at hand.
Rather than focusing on the task at hand I found myself yelling at the GPS device, which took on the name “Jack” because of the language selection offered by the device (“American – Jack”), and I ended up sounding like Kate Winslet in Titanic, “Jack! Where are we going, Jack?!”
Knowing Your Optional Paths
Why is this important? When you can’t see the bigger picture you don’t know your optional paths.
At one point I hit a construction backup. I had about 0.3 seconds to determine if I would go ahead and sit in the backup for 45 minutes, or follow the word “detour” that was flashing on the orange sign that had suddenly become visible, just ahead.
Because it was nighttime and I was in a rural area, and because I had no idea where, exactly, I was in the larger picture and if there might be a number of other reasonable paths to travel, I simply wasn’t sure if I could trust the “detour” path as a better option than sitting in traffic.
So I sat in traffic and lost 45 minutes of drive time.
Why is my experience important for leaders?
- Visionary leaders don’t have a GPS device that you can “trust” to take you to the destination embodied by your vision. Thus, you must have your vision in front of you at all times to ensure you’re steering your team in the right direction.
- It’s critical to know where you and your team are at all times. This sounds incredibly obvious, but how many times as a leader do we have to stop and ask ourselves and our team, “Where exactly are we at with this?”
- Don’t lose sight of the bigger picture. Most teams are focused on the daily task at hand. With a view of the larger picture, you’ll be able to steer them to optional paths if they hit roadblocks along the way.
- With confidence in your strategies (path) for reaching your vision, you can focus on your own tasks at hand as well.
The Ultimate Big Picture
Ultimately, I believe your number one priority is to have your eyes set on your vision, consistently reinforcing for your team what that vision looks, feels, smells, tastes and sounds like, and to be consistently reviewing the strategies and tactics you are using to reach that vision.
How you get there – as a leader of values and character and integrity is vitally important as well. But without a vision you have no idea where you, and your team, may end up.
What do you think?
Please share your insights in the comments!
RELATED POSTS:
The Business-Altering Difference Between Vision and Mission
When a Leader’s Vision is Actually a Dream
What CEO’s Can Learn From the Goddess of Vision
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Photo is Winding Road by acookeuk.
10 Response Comments
Great post and a great reminder to keep focused on your goals. I had a client years ago who always asked the team, “What does great look like?” and, “Where do we want to be in 3 years? In 5 years?” I’ve used them with my teams ever since to help keep us focused on the vision and where we are heading. Thanks, Lisa.
Thank you, Rob. I’m thrilled to know that both you and your client are keeping focused on your vision, and I wish you the best of success!
Hi Lisa,
Your post awakens a new focus on an age-old truth. It adds a call to action to all leaders in the data/noise filled landscape of any business, project, and initiative.
I love the image of you having to press the expand button to see the big picture else it kept zooming in to the little steps.
It makes me wonder what pressures keep leaders zoomed in and do those same pressures stop them from pressing the expand button? Perhaps …
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– The demand to constantly prove value through detailed metrics
– Office technology that doesn’t co-display big picture and little steps
– Baggage from a previous position before promotion that required a detailed focus
—–
Great thought provoking post and I am pleased I found it!
Many thanks for the imagery,
Kate
Hi Kate,
What wonderfully insightful questions! I am naturally compelled to push the “expand” button but you’re right, what if I kept letting something else get in the way…? Thanks so much for adding a new dimension!
Good Imagery Lisa –
You are extremely good at taking a “daily ordinary activity” and making a Life – Leadership Lesson out of it. (BTW, I am not a fan of GPS for the main reason that I never know where it is taking me – I guess you could say I am a control freak!)
What spoke to me in your post was The BIG PICTURE…some times as leaders, we can get lost in the details, lost in how we got there, instead of just getting there. I can speak from experience that getting lost in the details can get in the way of building a clear vision. Followers lose track of what is important, and focus on the little things, instead of the Big Picture.
Thanks Lisa
SPGonz
Thank you, Steve. Thanks for sharing those excellent insights on the focus on “little things” vs. big picture – I think it’s a challenge for many of us! Have a wonderful holiday weekend!
Lisa,
Happy Sunday to you. I love GPS systems, I prefer to just call it a navigation system. Here is how I approach using a navigation system. For everyday use in familiar territory it is just a handy little tool. For a long trip or for driving in a new area it can be a lifesaver, more than a tool. It takes the place of that shotgun riding person (think screaming spouse, partner, etc) turning the map around, because they have absolutely no sense of direction! And we all know certain people will not stop and ask for directions.
By the way, had you taken the detour the GPS would have reconfigured your position and would have guided you on your way or sent you back to where you took the detour. It cannot know there are detours, but if you take one it will automatically adjust!
Travel requires planing and vision. Leadership requires planning and vision. But maybe for leaders GPS stands for GOOD PEOPLE SENSE…and that is what makes the vision come to fruition. Very few leaders work in a vacuum…they need people.
Judy
Hi Judy,
I appreciate your perspective on how best to use it as a tool, and love your new interpretation on what GPS stands for! Brilliant as always. 🙂 Thank you for sharing and have a beautiful 4th of July celebration!
Great post Lisa. I think this is great advice not only for leaders but people in general.
If we want to move forward but don’t know where we want to end up, we have no way to measure our success. We need to have a basis to evaluate and re-evaluate where we stand relative to our final destination. Only then can we decide if we are on the right path or if we should consider alternatives.
Adam, couldn’t agree more!