Get Out on Point - Lead into the Future

Most leaders lead in the here and now. Dependingyour industry or profession
on your level of leadership, you may be looking atTake advantage of time shifted information.
the immediate future of today, this week, or thisListen to Podcasts, teleseminars or live seminars
month. Senior leaders may look out twelve toon leadership and technology to help keep you
eighteen months. Executive leaders may evenarmed
look twenty four to thirty six months down the- Seek responsibility and take responsibility for
road. However, the ever changing businessyour actions
landscape of tomorrow requires leaders who areTake calculated risks on the future. Search for
strategic forward thinkers looking at trends threeways to grow or expand your organization for
to five years down the road. However, in orderthe future. If things go wrong, and they will, don't
to be able to do this, you need to havepass on blame. Take responsibility for your
exceptional skills for the here and now.actions, then move out smartly to the next
A military commander understands thechallenge.
importance of knowing the landscape of the- Make sound and timely decisions
battle field. Your battle field will require you to leadProcrastination of decisions will give your
people to engage multiple targets; innovation,competitors the advantage. Use good processes
change, technology, consumers, vendors, globalto problem solving and decision making.
supply chains and much more. These targets are- Know your people and look out for their welfare
changing as fast as markets open and close.Ensure you put the right people in the right
Technology is speeding delivery to customers andpositions. This means knowing human nature,
businesses must keep up. Quality leaders of todayvalues and beliefs. Train them for the future.
must be able to forecast shifts or future trends.- Keep your workforce informed
Then they must embrace and implement the newBe transparent with your team. Let them
technologies to gain the competitive advantage?understand your decision making process, vision
Peter Drucker once said "One can't manageand strategy. Communicate and interpret
change. One can only be out ahead of it."expectations.
The only way to be out ahead of change and- Develop a sense of responsibility in your
your competition is to stay technically andworkforce
tactically proficient. This means knowing theHelp develop the character traits your organization
attributes of yourself and your workforce. Howdesires. The values you reward are the behaviors
do you strengthen your attributes?you can expect.
You must:- Use the full capabilities of your organization
- Know yourself and seek self improvementKeep your workforce fully engaged.
Read professional journals both inside and outside