Navigating the tensions between the two to think beyond the next two quarters

In today’s quarter-to-quarter-mindset, business leaders are faced with the daunting task of trying to create long-term value with a short-term mindset.  Over the past ten months, I have delivered business acumen and business leadership development programs for more than 1500 leaders and during each workshop I take a few moments to ask about their challenges and more than 85% of them mention the tension between short-term expectations and long-term strategy as being a top 3 issue.  This blog will provide new ideas and perspectives on how to move beyond the short-term mentality to do both.

Episode 1 - Change Leadership 

A participant in a recent Leadership development program took a page from an earlier learning module on developing innovation skills and “challenged the status quo” of the way we train leaders to be better at leading change.

Practical business leadership skills are critical for business success and one of the most important things that I do when designing an immersive leadership development program is talk with participants about their leadership challenges and the inhibitors to their success.  This week, while working with a group of talented mid-level managers, I heard something that I’ve been hearing for many years if not decades; “my biggest challenge is leading without authority.”  In years past, and in a more traditional learning environment, I would have gently discussed all the recommended ways of getting around the obstacle of trying to lead without authority.  There is a portfolio of tools that are taught in leading business schools and corporate training programs that include topics such as situational leadership, understanding different styles, horizontal leadership, and skills of delegation. These are great skills and tools but aren’t the most important ones to have in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous business world.

Summer is over, so snap back to reality, there goes strategic gravity.  With apologies to Eminem, it’s a new school year, football is back, and business leaders realize that there are just four months left in this year to hit our goals and objectives while starting the planning process for next year.

For many experienced and inexperienced leaders, it is easy to get sucked into the tsunami of work and not think strategically about how to execute and get the work done.  During the past few months of designing and developing robust leadership development business simulations and workshops, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some of the best and not-so-best leaders as they prepare and dive into the storm.  I’ve summarized five key learnings into leadership tips that can be useful in times of tremendous stress and change at work.