Cutting Through Complexity

Want to have an edge in business? Learn to cut through complexity. We live in an era of work that is invigorating. We have more information on a daily basis than ever. Knowledge is no longer what enables a competetive advantage. Know-how is. Know-how is the innate ability of leaders to understand how to dissect information and execute on the vital few things that matter to their business. Ram Charan documents his coaching and observation in his book, Know-How.

He skillfully makes his argument that leaders must be able to exercise this ability to make forays into the unknown. The unknown is now part of everyday business life. As the rules of business are constantly being upheaved because of the complexity and lower barriers for people to innovate, know-how is what will differentiate.

Learn and understand how to get this most vital attribute. It is through rigorous mental exercise and acumen that one can learn to lead in the new economy.

Thinking

“There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle
The other is as though everything is a miracle.”
–Albert Einstein

“I am a camera with its shutter open, quite passive, recording, not thinking.” - A Berlin Diary

In my business coaching with clients, I enjoy helping people think. Einstein commented that it is one of the hardest things to do, that is why so few people actually do it. This happens every day. Ask a person a one-layer deeper question such as, “Why do you think it is a great idea?” or “What is great about the person you are commenting about?” There usually is a pause. You are requesting a thought - something that goes beyond cruise control.

Now apply it to your business. Where will you be in five years if you continue doing what you are doing currently? Think through it. What is it you believe about doing business? Who do you say “no” to? Why? Answering these questions takes thinking. If you dare enter into that struggle, then you will define your standards, beliefs and convictions and just might start living out your values - your beliefs. Dare to think.

Leadership by Risk

“The ultimate test of leadership is not the polls you take, but the risks you take. In the short run, some risks prove overwhelming. Political courage can be self-defeating. But the greatest defeat of all would be to live without courage, for that would hardly be living at all.” - Gerald Ford

Gerald Ford passed away Tuesday. I think he had a clear understanding of leadership. He understood it by going through the different gauntlets of his life. His adversity shaped him and helped him to lead.

We may prematurely want the pain of our circumstance to go away. What if we could see them as an opportunity in our life. Perhaps the unpleasantries and hard things would shape and stretch us towards making new decisions and thinking new thoughts. That’s where leadership begins. Thanks for the clarity, Gerald Ford.

People, Not Stuff

A friend of mine spoke this past weekend and commented about how we strive to preserve our comfort zones - those spaces in our life that create comfort for us. We get irritated when others invade that space. It may be the comfortable group of friends we are with or the time on the computer in a quiet place or that favorite chair with a nice neat setup. Our creature comforts are what we strive to preserve and increase. The trouble is when we value stuff, processes or habits over people. It is people that these things serve. Whether it is the little inconveniences like getting beat to a parking spot, someone scratching our new car or someone not doing things the way we like, we can feel a violation. But what really matters? Is it the person or our preferences? Do we have compassion enough on people and shake ourself out of the delirious state we are in as we fill our lives with comfort stuff? We have these things all around us. When you get irritated next time because you feel a violation - things did not go as you like, or stuff you own got tampered, or your space was invaded - remember to see the people your disdain affects; they always matter more. The people are what business and life is all about. Don’t miss them.

Context for Service

I was reminded by a professional friend how the concept of employment is a modern day novelty. 100 years ago and beyond, people built their lives by their abilities and bootstraps. The farmer built his lot. He planned, worked hard and ran his business. He went through discouragement, faith and wins based on his output.

Today, it is hard to measure your result as it gets diluted in the context of corporate life. However, you do have immense value. Realizing this is only a few steps away. The biggest one is context. You do not know what conversations you will be in this week or even today. Todd Skinner states in his book, Beyond the Summit, “Opportunity is often a matter of both preparation and chance.” Or as the famed scientist Louis Pasteur states, “In the field of observation, chance favors only the prepared mind.”

The question is, are you prepared? Are you prepared to have that conversation that explores your value beyond an employee? Do you have a context to talk within? A business set up? A structure? A business card? Context drives conversations that may be missing you every day.

In the new economy, your employer is your customer. Are you acting with an owner mindset?

The Two Wolves

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a
battle that was going on inside him. He said, “My son, the battle is
between two wolves. One is evil: anger, envy, sorrow, regret,
greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies,
false pride, superiority and ego.

The other wolf is good: joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith.”

The grandson though about it for a moment and then asked his grandfather, “Which wolf wins?” The old man simply replied, “The one I feed.”

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