One of my favourite children’s stories is the story of the “Little Engine that could”. I remember loving it when my parents would read it to me, and in time when I read it too. It is a story of persistency, consistency and mindset.

Now admittedly as a child, I just thought it was cute and I just wanted to cheer when the little train was victorious, but through the years that have followed it has shown me a much more important realization …… that when all is said and done, if we choose ... it is possible. 

In my almost three decades of working with business owners, C-Suite leaders and emerging leaders, those who have reached satisfaction and success have been those who in gratitude accepted, and worked with, today, but never lost sight of the possibilities of tomorrow. …. The great leaders I have worked with have never sacrifice the important for the urgent. They handle the immediate problem and still make sure to secure the future. That choice, however, has not come without hurdles.

The most often, tackled hurdle is the temptation to “accept management of today”. This usually happens when we feel a bit overwhelmed, so our focus turns to “survival” and not “success”. We simply want to get as much done as we can to make the load lighter for today and “let tomorrow take care of itself”, becomes a mantra. I discuss that a bit in this article about whether we "Chase Cash or Seek Revenue".

While no one will argue making today lighter is a good thing, and sometimes a very necessary thing, the opportunity is to not forget to secure the future. This requires looking at what is making overwhelm happen today and, most importantly, what can halt it from repeating again. That takes discipline, and also a mindset change.

It is important to remember that people do not naturally resist change. People naturally resist being changed. And adopting a mindset that tackles the urgent, and the important, at the same time, and knowing how to do that,  is part of Excellence as a leader. I discuss this in Episode 118 of our Podcast.

Speaking of it, this month on the You Can Make It So Podcast, we have been focussing on Excellence in Leadership. Excellence, not only individually but also as a team. Excellence requires us to not sacrifice the important for the urgent and still make sure to secure the future.

Episode 117 - Excellence as a Team Leader - Take a listen

Episode 116 - 4C's of Team Building - Find out more

Episode 115 - The Pursuit of Excellence - Check out this episode

Episode 114 - Do’s and Don’ts of Problem Solving -   listen to this episode

We have also put together a great Master Class on Team Building using the 4 C’s. If you would like details on subscribing to this Master Class - reach out today - Do not hesitate to Contact me

Leadership is influence—and you are a leader. That’s why it’s critical you keep sharpening your leadership. I’d love to help. At Phoenix Life Coaching Canada we work with individuals and teams helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity. Find out more about how we can help you personally and professionally  - reach out today 

Remember - Great Leaders Don't Grow Alone

#Makeitso

Our focus this month is on Anticipatory Leadership.  A good practical way to sum up what Anticipatory Leadership comes from the words of Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest ice hockey players of all time who said, “Some people skate to the puck, I skate to where the puck is going to be.”

But… you don’t have to be "at the top" of your game, your organization, team or family to be an Anticipatory Leader. You see often the false belief that it is only the people "on top" that are called to be anticipatory leaders. The CEO, The Chairman of the Board , the person who signs the cheques. 

Yet I love that quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson's quote: “The person who understands how will always have a job. The person who understands why will always be his or her boss.”

Anticipatory Leaders understand why - because we are all called to be Anticipatory Leaders …. whether in our personal or professional lives.

Your ability to lead forward will help you to move forward - and isn't that a goal we all share?

If you do not want to ‘get stuck’ – then keep leading forward – it is the best way to move forward. We do that by responding not reacting. We do that by anticipating not just accelerating.

So this month, we unpacked how to do that, by looking at what it takes to be an Anticipatory Leader by asking three questions on the  You Can Make It So Podcast

Who is a Leader who Anticipates ? - Episode 88 

What is Leadership that Responds ? - Episode 89

How can Virtues help you to be an Anticipatory Leader ? - Episode 91

We also welcomed a stellar guest - Matt Mayberry  - who spoke to us about a crucial element of anticipatory leadership in any size organization, team or group of people - Culture. His book Culture is the Way was our focus. It made it to our 23 Books for 2023 list. Listen to his interview, and his insights - Episode 90 of our Podcast

Why are these relevant?

Well, because while one of the things that often separates a good leader from a great one is that ability to anticipate.

And - one thing that separates a good organization from a great one – is the Culture.

Both Leadership and Culture without the positive virtues within a leader - is like breathing without oxygen - neither good or great

So if you want your organization, team, and even family unit, to not be  void of greatness – then it is important to take some time exploring how your current leadership relates to the well-being and trust of those you lead – no matter whether that is one person or 100 people.

I see too many leaders, business owners, executives -  chasing and not anticipating.

They chase cash – believing it will solve their problems – but no systems in place for revenue – the cash soon dries up and off they go on the chase again.

They chase position – if they get that new job, new client, new target – then they will be enough – soon they realize it isn’t – and off they go on the chase again.

They chase a success found in today, and maybe for today it comes, but then tomorrow arrives – and off they go on the chase again.

Even the longest Marathon comes to an end – so stop chasing – be a Leader who anticipates!

Being an Anticipatory Leader is crucial to success.

So skate not to where the puck is – but where the puck will be!

I’d love to help.

A lot of my one to one work is with leaders like you - helping them lead with confidence and grow in clarity. Whether that be one to one coaching or team coaching. Do not hesitate to Contact me  – together we can finish 2023 strong by giving you tools to review the year, and set habits of success for 2024 as Anticipatory Leader!

#makeitso