Sun 28 Mar 2010
Having recently returned from a vacation, this editor jotted down some observations on the return flight. Most of us are only peripherally aware of the world that surrounds us. We are often possessed by an overactive brain and, even though we may be on vacation, we haven’t really gone anywhere. Yet travel is an opportunity to feel more alive when we visit unfamiliar places. Why is that? We become more present when we’re challenged by the unknown.
In the practice of leadership, similar behaviors prevail. A leader can feel more alive when challenged with decision-making while in the midst of uncharted, turbulent waters. They are focused on the present moment and often enjoy the “rush” of working under pressure. Things get done. Still, jumping from one high impact moment to another does not allow a leader to take a step back, observe, and take time for long-range planning. It’s a balancing act of being in the present moment, embracing it and then drawing back to enjoy the view of the “road less traveled.”
