There is a huge hidden tax paid by organizations when leaders are not continuously leveraging the right information to identify opportunities for optimal performance and results.  Distracted by daily demands or not disciplined enough to devote time and resources to searching for new markets, customers, innovations, and improvement gains, they cause their employees and clients to lose out on superior outcomes.  It’s even possible that failure to leverage an opportunity at the right time will become the first line in the organization’s eventual obituary.

A major responsibility of leadership is vision.  Effective leaders create the future.  They decide what that future will look like and then they ensure that the organization travels there.

These leaders are highly intellectually curious.  They constantly scan the horizon.  They are voracious consumers of information.  Their analytical abilities help them pick up the data points that others miss.  They see the possibilities others don’t.  They surround themselves with information gatherers and opportunity seekers who identify and develop new ideas to win the future.  They study the competition.  They research expected and unexpected successes and mistakes and failures.  They insist on knowing about new innovations which could produce solutions which will put and keep their organization in the lead.

They foster a culture which embraces a focus on searching for new ways to excel.  They recruit and retain teams who continuously challenge themselves to do better.  When a goal is achieved, these teams set a new one.  These leaders align the organization with objectives and outcomes.  They resource their teams with what they need to achieve the goals.  They celebrate successes and sustain momentum.

When one opportunity is fulfilled, they don’t stop or sit still.  With their teams, they identify the next goal.  These leaders have restless energy and want to see the organization continuously moving forward.

They understand that reward carries risk.  They do everything to prevent or mitigate risk, but they don’t allow it to paralyze them.  They know there can be problems when you try something new.  They are open about the potential for challenges.  They manage expectations.  They expect and accept some setbacks.  They never allow fear to govern.  Playing it too safe can keep you from fulfilling a destiny.

The 21st century is a time of unprecedented and disruptive change.  Our tomorrows can be quite different from our yesterdays.  Optimize opportunities and choose your future.

Sources: Abrashoff, 2002; Blanchard, 2011; Collins, 2001; Drucker, 2001; Grant, 2017; Kotter, 2012; Lencioni, 2012; Maxwell, 1998; Welch, 2005.

Dr. Joe Saviak is an experienced senior executive, leadership and management consultant, author, researcher, and college professor. He has served on senior management teams responsible for significantly improving the performance of agencies with over 1,000 employees and annual budgets in excess of $100 million. He serves as an attorney with the Douglas Law Firm.  Reach Dr. Saviak at Joe@DrJoeSaviak.com

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