You can learn amazing leadership lessons and skills in a forest – if you pay attention. I know first-hand, because I have a forest behind my house. Here are three terrific lessons I learn in the forest – lessons to help you improve your leadership skills.
Last time we covered the first two leaderships lessons:
#1. LITTLE PINK RIDING HOOD
#2: IMPERIALIST PIGS TRY TO TAKE OVER EVERYTHING
Here is today's Leadership Lesson:
DON’T LET TREES STOP YOU FROM SEEING THE FOREST
Executives calling me for advice on how to handle business problems usually start by telling me many details of the problem.
After awhile, I point out: “Sometimes it’s hard to see the forest because of all the trees!”
“Trees” are the many details. “Forest” is the vision or big goal the executive desires to achieve.
In my forest, I often experience this see-forest-from-trees predicament. When I walk through the woods, I see many things I need to improve, e.g., fix trails, destroy weeds, clear brush, and more.
Then, it dawns on me that I invested hundreds of hours of strenuous work to make my forest beautiful – but I see only problems. I fail to see my forest’s beauty, and appreciate the great results I produced.
At such moments, I force myself to (a) focus on the “forest” and (b) stop focusing on “trees.” Then, I feel proud of results my hard work produced. I enjoy the wild flowers and trees I cultivated. I cherish the fresh air, and seeing wild animals, like deer, coyotes, hawks, and foxes.
Leadership Lesson =
As a leader, make sure you see the “forest.” Stop looking mainly at “trees.” Instead, focus on “forest” – your vision or big goals for your organization’s growth and prosperity.
LEADERSHIP LESSONS & SKILLS BROUGHT TO YOU BY MOTHER NATURE
I used to think of forests as beautiful, enjoyable places. Now, from investing innumerable hours working in my forest, I discovered forests also offer tremendous leadership skills and lessons.
COPYRIGHT 2011 MICHAEL MERCER, PH.D., www.DrMercer.com
Comments