Getting Above the Clouds

I’m flying from New York to Chicago on a crystalline sky day. The view from above is spectacular as we make our way west. We are jetting home to get ahead of a storm barreling towards the east coast.  We are flexing our schedule to avoid turbulence tomorrow. Getting above the clouds, being able to maneuver through the unexpected is as critical for CEO’s and managers, as it is for travelers. Certainly, the last year has taught us that a strategic pivot could be the most important skill in an organizational playbook. 

Knowing I need to see a long horizon and actually doing so are very different things. One of my long-term clients has this practical advice for other business leaders, “Start reading. Listen to experts, find those people who will push you to think differently about the business, and challenge your assumptions. Engage those people as part of your inner circle. Identify your competitors that are winning in your space or totally different spaces. Use their success to incorporate their lessons into your thinking. Assume you don’t know the answers.” 

The spark towards new opportunity may come from an unexpected source. Keep your eyes wide open and enjoy the view.