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Effective Leaders Know When To Hold And When To Fold

US Airways’ Captain Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger’s success in dealing with total engine power loss with a clear decision to land in the Hudson River stemmed from his ability to prioritize goals. In his biography, Sully talks about “goal sacrificing” having to select which goal is the most critical to act on. He accepted the loss of a multi-million dollar plane to save lives. He was able to make that decision only because he was clear about his priorities and the situation.

How effective are your leaders in dealing with change or handling unanticipated problems? Are your leaders prepared to make mid-course adjustments or do they keep on trucking with their plan on a pre-determined route no matter what is happening around them?

Concentrating on results, or leading with the “end in mind,” is one of Stephen Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change. He stresses the importance of starting with the “end in mind.” But what happens when the start, middle or end changes? Staying the course or achieving what is no longer desirable should not be seen as an accomplishment. In fact, it can threaten an organization’s survival. Leaders who know how to keep their “eye on today’s key prize” based on current circumstances are those who succeed.

A solid understanding of the six business priorities helps leaders adjust to critical priorities and avoid being blindsided by “unanticipated” events. It is not just in hindsight that financial executives should have recognized that giving 90 to 95% mortgages was too risky. Experts were warning about a real estate bubble, and yet leaders continued to make mortgages. One bank executive summarized his decision-making process by saying that “I know this thing will blow up, but as long as the music is playing, I have to dance.”

As Peter Drucker observed:

“Effective leadership is not about making speeches or being liked; leadership is defined by results not attributes.”

Can your leaders deliver the right results are at the right time in the right way and at the right cost? We cannot expect leaders to control events, but we can expect them to act wisely.

Effective leadership requires not only personal awareness and skills but also business insight and judgment. Captain Sully knew how to prioritize his goals. He did not try to save the plane, and he did not try to make it to an alternative airport. He understood his resources, his situation, his team, and his key goal, resulting in a lifesaving landing. Are you doing all you can to help your leaders understand the critical goals and what it will take to achieve them? It should be your critical priority right now.

Dr. Mary Lippitt
Dr. Mary Lippitthttp://www.enterprisemgt.com
Dr. Mary Lippitt is an award-winning author of "Brilliant or Blunder: 6 Ways Leaders Navigate Uncertainty, Opportunity, and Complexity.” She founded Enterprise Management Ltd. in 1984 to provide leaders with practical and effective solutions to navigate the modern business climate using situational mastery. Dr. Lippitt is a thought leader and speaker on executing change, optimal leadership, and situational analysis. She currently teaches in the MBA program at the University of South Florida. Mary is also the author of Situational Mindsets: Targeting What Matters When It Matters.

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12 CONVERSATIONS

  1. I believe that one of the keys to making objective critics is precisely that of being ready for change by having the ability to look to the future and to understand how those changes could help achieve the set goal.
    Well then have the humility to ask for help and put into practice the advice of others, especially if coming from experts in the field. Furthermore, all available resources must be concentrated in one big objective, as well as the tenacity to persist tirelessly on those projects – even difficult ones – that could lead to innovation. Finally, take advantage of all the knowledge, skills, experience and training, because it is in this way that it will be possible to change the definition of “critic”, making everything (or almost) possible.

    • Aldo, Thank you for the comment and for pointing out the need to blend steadiness with flexibility to achieve desired goals. From my perspective there is a need to be steady which what is essential — which is different than what might be wanted. We need to focus on the vital interests and let go of “nice to have” achievements. I recall watching a batter swing for the fences when all he had to do was bunt or get a walk to win the game. Unfortunately, he gave it his all and it was an easy out. Leaders, as well as other batters, should learn from this foolish choice.

    • Thank you for following my comment with your usual acumen in the answers.
      In reality I fully agree. Pragmatism is always the best thing. Also in our football league did not win the team that played the most beautiful football aesthetically but the one that played the “essential” football.
      Unfortunately, today, especially young people give a lot of value to the image because they love to transfer that image to their own network so that everyone can live the same emotion. So I think that we must find the right balance, certainly without getting lost in the “frivolities” without any practical utility.
      Greetings

    • Aldo, While I like the idea of recognizing not just the winners but I hope that we do not lose focus on the need to recognize high performance. Certainly, we can spread acclaim but those who excel should be given the greatest recognition. One of my MBA students told me that there was no reason to try for an A in my course since he only needed a B to get credit and receive tuition reimbursement. While I appreciate his honesty, I was disappointed with his premise. In my mind, a person taking a graduate degree should strive for excellence not merely skimming by with the least effort. Thanks for the dialogue.

    • Absolutely agree. If you do not aim for excellence when you are young and full of energy when you should do it?
      I will tell you that my experience with the younger generations has caused me a lot of perplexity. I expected a greater grit in exploiting much greater learning opportunities than those that my generation did not have.
      But I do not want to make judgments because then we live a rapidly changing world, which continues to create greater inequality, which offers a lot but also complexities that are sometimes incomprehensible and perhaps difficult to overcome.
      It is really a pleasure to talk with you:

    • Aldo, You are smart not to rely on general judgments or stereotypes. As you mention we are facing more complexities and challenges. I just hope we all rise to work together to establish the future we want –one where people are honored, rewarded and supported.

    • Mary,
      Your major point that EFFECTIVE leadership requires business insight and judgment, along with personal insight and skills, should be warning sign to the leadership industry that a major paradigm shift is necessary to develop BOTH hard and soft skills in the PROPER MIX. Jack

    • Jack, Thank you very much for your comment and support for the need for a more holistic, comprehensive and balanced approach to leadership is key. As CEO’s continue to push for critical thinking, strategic mindsets and results, our leaders need to check their assumptions about what constitutes excellent leadership and adapt to a more comprehensive approach. Like you stated, a PROPER MIX is needed. Thanks again for adding your thoughts and insights.

  2. Thank you Mary for a great article. Being that I have always lived outside the line and it worked I agree that Leaders and Managers need to find different ways to do things. Without change we go from extraordinary to just ordinary.

    • Larry,
      Thanks for sharing that you have successfully taken the “road less traveled” and are enjoying the journey. I liked your comment that without change we revert from extraordinary to ordinary. My life and work have been enriched by knowing different nationalities, cultures, and perspectives. When I really listen to others, I have grown and learned. I hope others can also enjoy similar experiences.
      Thanks for the comment.
      Mary

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