Insightful leaders shape our future. Consider this: in January 2018, the World Economic Outlook (WEO) reported the broadest synchronized global growth upsurge since 2010, and estimated positive growth through 2020. But in December 2019, they reported the weakest pace since the financial crisis a decade ago. According to the WEO, “rising trade barriers and associated uncertainty weighed on business sentiment and activity globally.”
Then, on January 20, 2020, the WEO reported that despite prominent risks, “global growth may be bottoming out,” suggesting that we are on the cusp of great change. While many leaders and organizations take a cautious, wait and see approach, great leaders recognize the opportunities for innovation. They think beyond adaptation, drive change, and make significant contributions that shape our future.
Leaders who are known for their insight identify fresh trends and actively prepare new products and services—before a need or problem is even identified. They instill an innovative mindset throughout their organization. Insightful leaders simultaneously improve efficiencies today, and prepare for the demands of tomorrow.
Innovation is not a choice. However, a lack of insight often results in a lack of innovation. Insightful leaders improve innovation.
How We Create Obstacles for Insight to Occur
Insight is a process. Unfortunately, we often create obstacles for insights to occur. In my work as a coach, I see how even some of the best leaders and managers:
- Fail to recognize bias, assumptions, and blind spots, and leave questions unasked.
- Set unrealistic deadlines that actually inhibit opportunities for insight.
- Over focus on risk management and compliance, and leave little room for insight and creativity.
- Emphasize efficiency and effort on short-term goals, and discourage insight and innovation.
- Adopt a win-at-all-cost mentality that increases pressure and squelches opportunities for insight.
- Fixate on the wrong problem(s) and dive into rabbit holes.
These obstacles extend beyond a leader and affect the entire culture. Of course, insight and innovation isn’t limited to leaders, executives, research and development personnel, or marketing departments. Bottom line, cultures that are stuck in status-quo mode or strung-out in a quest for perfection become trapped and paralyzed.
What do you think? How have insightful leaders shaped your future? Conversely, what obstacles prevented insight and innovation to occur? I’d love to hear from you. You can call me at 561-582-6060, let’s talk. And as always, I can be reached here, or on LinkedIn.
