Mountain State University LeaderTalk

January Round-Up: Leaders Hold Future Vision

Long-term success – our personal or organizational – is based on more than just today's activities. When we feel overloaded by tasks, it can be difficult to look ahead with clear eyes, but it's essential that our immediate efforts work toward our long-term goals. Success is dependent on a composite of daily actions over time, so our efforts today should be purposeful.

To hold a future vision, leaders must examine the present and look to the future.

In Current Reality and Desired Future, Michael Friesen writes,

"A leader's role is to see the environment as he wishes it to be AND as it is. A leader must be equally aware of two main areas: current reality and the desired future.

Both perspectives are vital to move toward a better tomorrow. An effective leader will balance seeing things as he would wish them to be (vision) with a very conscious awareness of current reality to have a true starting point. Denying current reality means disaster is on its way and not having a dream makes the present much less meaningful."

To hold future vision, leaders must be open to change – change in approach, change in direction.In The Rise of Female Leadership, Anna Smith writes that organizations can stay competitive through nurturing diversity, listening, and adapting, saying,

"Organizational leadership is like an exothermic reaction that releases energy when new bonds are formed.

Unfortunately, some organizations have stopped creating new bonds.

They try hard not to be criticized. They try to script customer service. They attempt to run like well-oiled machines.
Forget the ‘well-oiled machine' metaphor.

‘That was then. Today many pundits and theorists describe [successful organizations] as living beings.'– Wally Bock

Living systems have an inner life, react to changes in the environment, grow and evolve.

The way we do and think about business has changed and is changing: Companies can adapt or become extinct."

To hold future vision, leaders must see how that meeting today's objectives fits in to the long-term plan.

What are you doing today to help you meet your goals? Join the conversation!

It's all in the approach

I like when things work the way that they are supposed to work.

My alarm clock goes off at the scheduled time.
I have hot water in the shower.
The flow of traffic is consistent on the drive to work.

It's easy to focus on the goal ahead and keep a positive outlook when things work the way that we think they should. It becomes more challenging when we encounter surprises along the way.

 The computer will not power up.
 A document will not print.
 The heat pump blows cold air even though the setting is adjusted to "heat."

In these situations, I don't always act rationally. I generally try the same attempt to fix the problem over and over again before trying a new solution.

Computer does not power up when power button is pressed. Press the power button again. Unplug the computer from the power source. Plug up the computer. Press the power button for a third time…Even though I'm familiar with the saying "Insanity is doing the same thing in the same way and expecting a different outcome." I focus on what should work before addressing the problem. After all, pressing the power button should turn on the computer, right?

We like it when things make sense to us. When things don't make sense, we don't always act logically, and this could hinder our efforts to lead.

To be effective leaders, we have to focus on behaving rationally when things don't make sense to us. We need to reach out to those who depend on us and help them to make sense of the situation – no matter if it makes sense to us or not.

Address the situation and point out the positive elements.
Share information as it becomes available.
Focus on group goals. They may change, but as a group we can work through the situation. Together we can do more than we can alone.

So the computer isn't working properly? Maybe a coworker can look at it or you can work together with someone else in the office. Your document won't print – e-mail it to someone else to see if they can print it. The problem could be with your computer, the printer, or the document itself.  If the heat pump isn't working properly, take a hot chocolate or coffee break. Go and talk to a colleague (in a warmer area) rather than e-mailing or calling them while you're waiting on the repair.

Depending on your approach, addressing a problem could become a great opportunity to connect with others.

 

What future vision? I’ve got too much to do!

January can be overwhelming as we try to create new habits or change old ones. At this time, the idea that leaders hold future vision may seem easier said than done. After all, how do you focus on the future when you can't see over the piles of work on your desk? The things-to-do list keeps growing. How do you let go of the trivial items and focus on the big picture?

On a basic level, we all understand that not everything is important and not everything is immediate, but sometimes it may feel as though everything is imperative and must be completed now. How can we focus on the future when we feel overwhelmed? To focus on the future, we must let go of what's holding us back right now.

• Realize that we don't have to do it all. In "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People", Stephen Covey tells us, "To live a more balanced existence, you have to recognize that not doing everything that comes along is okay. There's no need to overextend yourself. All it takes is realizing that it's all right to say no when necessary and then focus on your highest priorities."

• Take a break to get ahead. At Leadership Challenge, Craig Haptonstall recommends that we relax and change the scenery when working toward creating and sharing our vision.

"Get out of the office! Most office environments are designed for maximum productivity, but not necessarily for maximum creativity. Switching out the workplace for a less conventional atmosphere can make this creative challenge a lot easier. Take a lunch break and head over to the local museum. Walk around and notice what other inspired people have done in the past, and are doing these days. Often, there are even local artist displays where you can view the work of inspired people residing in your area. Just half an hour spent looking at these works can provide real inspiration for you and your team, and provide fuel to create a more compelling vision of the future."

• Put it off. Procrastination isn't always a bad thing. It can be beneficial to procrastinate as long as it isn't negatively affecting your relationships. Sometimes we may procrastinate when we feel uncertain about completing a project.  Giving ourselves time away from the project could help us to better focus our energy later on.

Don't abandon looking ahead when you've got a lot to accomplish. Everyone feels overwhelmed sometimes. Take a break and prioritize to refocus your efforts and energy. Make 2011 your year!

January's Theme: Leaders Hold Future Vision

It's a new year and everywhere you turn, there are reminders encouraging us to take advantage of the fresh start. The time to make improvements in your life is now.

Get organized.
Eat healthier.
Exercise more.
Get a handle on your finances. 

Many people make New Year's resolutions, but most are abandoned before the end of the month only to be revisited the next year. 

While a new calendar year can be a great opportunity to "start over," January 1 doesn't have to be the designated date to make positive changes for the future. We can and should choose to alter habits as needed, when needed. If you're struggling with keeping a resolution, remember that you can always start over. You can start fresh during the next minute, next hour, next day. You don't have to wait.

With the topics of change and future prevalent during January, we've chosen this month's theme as leaders hold future vision because leaders look to the future throughout the year. They unite others and efforts through a shared vision. Leaders foster optimism and hope. They see change as a natural part of life and a source of energy.

To submit a post for this month's round-up, scheduled for Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011, please email your post on this theme to Jenni Canterbury at jecanterbury@mountainstate.edu, no later than Monday, Jan. 24.

As we look to the future of LeaderTalk, there will be changes and milestones—new contributors, weekly posts, an inside view of Mountain State University's Charles H. Polk School of Leadership and Professional Development, and we'll reach our 300^th post this year.

As a leader, what is your vision for 2011? Join the conversation!