The Gauntlet
There are always problems – a parade of challenges that command your attention. Systems are down, people or organizations are working against you, or there’s some compelling difficulty that needs a prompt resolution.
There are always opportunities – innovative ideas or new relationships waiting to be embraced. These are chances to create value, to improve something, to move faster, or to help someone progress.
And there are always limits – limited time, energy, money and other resources.
How you prioritize where to invest your limited resources shapes your attitude, your actions and your future.
In the absence of some crisis, if problem resolution is your default mode, then the risk is that your focus can be too tactical or short term, directed too inwardly, inhibiting your ability to sense and promptly assess growth opportunities. When resolving problems is the priority, they can consume attention and resources which might be better focused on opportunities that create value for your customers and your business.
Of course, problems can’t be ignored, but often, there are people in your business whose primary function is to resolve problems. A leader’s principal responsibility, and highest priority, is to carve out time to think long term, to think strategically, to focus on opportunities that could contribute to your future success. If you don’t do this, who will?
Investing more of your limited resources on developing opportunities versus resolving problems is far more likely to produce something that matters, something sustainable, something that creates value.
How could investing more in exploring opportunities create value for your business?
