Leading at the Top

Assuming accountability and taking risks in order to lead in your industry. Eclipsing the competition by being first.

Leading at the top requires leading from a future focus.
Future meaning decisions based on assumptive data, leading edge trend identification, non-rational hunches, listening to peers and others who theorize or have political agendas they are attempting to influence with, etc. In other words, leading at the top is frequently based on unsubstantiated guesses and weak analytics forecasting future areas of interest for the business.

Obviously, in this environment, you want your leaders to gather as much reliable data as possible and speak to as many experts and knowledgeable individuals as is feasible. You want them to respond and make decisions in a timely manner so your business gains advantage over its competitors.

You also want your top leaders to exhibit confidence such that you personally and all followers in the organization feel secure in taking action and investing in achievement of the strategies, goals and vision identified. You want your top leader to be consistent in messaging, as well as having the tenacity to maintain the course even in the face of unknown and unexpected roadblocks.

A tough role, to lead into a future with tenuous links and connection to the past. One that many top leaders struggle with and fight personal demons of fear to initiate and maintain. One that erodes ones perception of capability and rightness for the role if successive failures (wrong calls) take place.

But none-the-less one that is critical if one is to be a successful top leader who leads into the future and continuously wins the competitive challenges.

Think about it - how do you prepare and hone this capability in your top leaders??

Chad