Finally: A Demand for the 10,000 Foot View

Finally: A Demand for the 10,000 Foot View

Aug 14, 2013 | coaching, critical thinking, leadership, Uncategorized

For my entire career, I have known that one of the most critical values I offer organizations is being able to marry the 10,000 foot, future-facing view with a boots on the ground approach.  In a business world that works quarter to quarter, the larger, more contextual view is often lost, and with it — an organization’s ability to plan deliberately, work lean and succeed in the short and long term. So, I was relieved when I read Elaine Varelas’ article in Chief Learning Officer on June 3, 2013.  She titled the article “How to Keep the Next Generation of Leaders“ and while I encourage you to read it at your leisure, her most applicable point — simplified — was the need for leaders who take a long-term view. I agree that this 10,000 foot view is critical for retaining talent, but it is equally critical for navigating change, shifting a culture, and maintaining (or building) profitability. I’ve included a snippet of my original comment to the author below, and would love your thoughts.  What do you think businesses miss when they lead and manage by the quarter vs. taking this long-term approach? “We live in a time where the only thing that’s certain is uncertainty. Evolved leaders must know how to maintain and communicate vision and also be agile (and hubris-less) enough to course correct in real time, all while creating an engaged workforce.”–...

Fighting Trim

May 3, 2011 | coaching, job security

The job outlook for our Spring, 2012 college graduates is looking up, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers. Apparently, the companies surveyed project they will hire 10.2 percent more graduates in 2012 than they did in 2011. Indeed, hiring is up overall, with this being the second consecutive year in which employers have adjusted their hiring expectations upward. As far as hopeful trends go, this one’s right up there; after four hideous years for job seekers, we’ll take even the most modest uptick. Finally, then, there’s reason for encouragement. In the spirit of the season, Hallelujah! But, if we know nothing else from the recent recession, we’ve learned that there are no guarantees. There was a time, in the not too distant past, when job security, generous benefits and funded retirement were practically birthrights and a college degree was the ticket in. Not so, anymore, on any of those counts. Now, despite the much ballyhooed upward trend in hiring, there simply won’t be enough jobs to satisfy the Class of 2012, as we still haven’t absorbed the class of 2011 and even the class of 2010. Plus, there are other realities that the little darlings of we-the-one percent have to recognize: there are tougher, more resilient, hungrier, harder working and, yes, more appreciative candidates also competing for the same jobs. As examples, I give you: * International students who are not only coming out of school with more desirable skills and degrees but also understand the notions of continual learning and betterment. These are the kids who go the extra mile to find out what it...