If you chase these, you are missing out.

Years of experience has taught me that the long road is better. Here’s why:

1️⃣  The end goal we shoot for is not the most important part, it is the learning along the way.

2️⃣  If we take shortcuts, we don’t learn all the available lessons.

3️⃣  The scenery is better. When we are being deliberate and not in a rush, we notice more of what is happening around us.

4️⃣  The shortcuts are often ‘shiny objects’ that on closer inspection don’t work and don’t bring the same value.

Every shortcut makes assumptions about the user and how it will be applied.

The long road allows for things to fit exactly the situation and the context.

The right tool for THAT job.

A good plan is essential to success, I love making plans

Just make sure you PLAN IN PENCIL - rigidity can be lethal.

“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth” - Mike Tyson

Monitor for changes, they won’t always be as obvious as a punch.

Assumptions can be wrong, conditions change.

Your best laid plans can become a trap.

The plan becomes an anchor pulling you down.

Track, be vigilant, don’t be afraid to change direction if evidence warrants.

It is a paradox of leadership that you must plan carefully AND remain flexible.

When priorities are clearly communicated, people can navigate distraction and stay on task. 

Things get done faster and people feel more fulfilled because they can see they are ‘winning’.

Even while running large and complex multi-disciplinary organizations, I held to a MAX of 5 priorities.

Getting there was a grueling exercise….painful, slow, and everyone had to sacrifice sacred cows.

But being able to ask anyone in the org the priorities and have them recite them….Priceless.

Of course, deciding priorities is really just the beginning…..maintaining this focus and alignment is the hardest part and one I love helping clients to achieve.