There’s a term to describe tempting opportunities outside of an organization’s core competencies: “Shiny Things.”
Like sparkling diamonds or the flashing lights of fame, these opportunities beckon. Shiny things lure even the most rational leadership teams into poor strategic choices with real implications. When confronted with a new opportunity — a shiny thing — you’ll need to ask if it is a “core” or is it a “lure”?
Are you a hedgehog or a fox in business? ’The Hedgehog and the Fox’ by Isaiah Berlin describes how the world can be divided into two types. The wily fox is cunning and knows many things, using various complex strategies to attack the hedgehog. Whereas the hedgehog is single-minded and only knows one big thing- rolling up into a perfect sphere of sharp spikes to defend itself against the fox. Surprisingly, the stubborn hedgehog always wins despite the many different tactics the crafty fox uses.
Imagine driving on a highway you’ve never been on before. Preferably you’re driving a convertible and the views are breathtaking. In this scenario, it’s unlikely you’ll notice the guardrails. However, the guardrails are almost invisibly keeping you on track, guiding you safely and efficiently to your desired destination. In your business, your Core Focus™️ functions the same way.
In his book, Grow: How Ideals Power Growth and Profit at the World’s Greatest Companies, Jim Stengel said it best: purpose mobilizes people in a way that pursuing profits alone never will.
It is always a challenge to keep individuals and organizations focused, but that’s what great leaders do. Distractions abound, but great leaders have an internal compass that keeps them from drifting off course. Two things set your bearings – your why and your what.
The video below offers brilliant words of wisdom attributed to Warren Buffett as career advice to his personal airline pilot, Mike Flint. I have read this story before. This gentleman, self-described creativity expert James Taylor, offers it as advice for creatives.
I offer it as advice for business owners and leaders. It syncs really well with the precepts of EOS®, which all support the idea that Less Is More. Focus on the most important goals for your business, your department, your personal life – this quarter, this year, always.
YOUR PRIVACY CHOICES