The Forest and Trees of Exemplary Leadership™

Written by Larry Fehd, CEO & Founder / HPS

We’ve all probably thought, said or heard others say, “….can’t see the forest for the trees.” The connotation is negative. At the least, it’s judgmental and, in most situations, reflects a hypervigilance for detail.

Exemplary leaders consider both the forest and the trees. It’s not an either or proposition. If your strength is in seeing the forest (big picture) then play fully to that strength. If, on the other hand, your strength is in seeing the trees (detail), you will need someone on your team who sees and brings the forest into the mix of considerations.

Despite the connotation, seeing and considering the forest and trees are strengths of exemplary leaders! Be mindful that overused strengths tend to become vulnerabilities and manifest as either blind spots or weaknesses.

Exemplary leaders are constantly scanning the environment (zooming in and zooming out) to consider all available information. I’ve seen leaders get stuck in the trees while a forest of opportunities is lost. I’ve seen leaders take a ready, fire, aim approach, overlook the trees, and inadvertently compromise or sabotage forest opportunities.

The key is to maintain a balance and knowing when to zoom out (binoculars) and when to zoom in (microscope).

Tips and Practical Applications:

  • Be cautious when making assumptions about the importance of the forest versus the trees.
  • Zooming in and zooming out affords consideration of the forest and trees; it’s savvy ecology.
  • Solicit others’ feedback on potential oversights of significant forest and tree considerations.
“Judgment clouds discernment and distorts the light of truth.”  – Larry Fehd


Ready to take your leadership, teams and organization performance to an exemplary-level?
  We will work one-on-one with you to accelerate your ascent to Exemplary Leadership™ Learn More

About The HPS Solutions Model™: Simple (no more or less than required resources);Substantive (research-based, empirical evidence); Sustainable (enduring while avoiding flavor-of-the-month syndrome or a failed initiative).

 

The Art of Exemplary Leadership
The Rewards of World-Class Results™

b6432129-78d0-44b8-9482-fa60e80105e1

© Human Performance Strategies (HPS). All rights reserved.

Comment on this Article


Optimizing Leadership, Team &
Organizational Performance


© Human Performance Strategies (HPS). All rights reserved.

Larry Fehd

Chief Executive Officer & Founder / HPS
Executive Leadership & Business Optimization Advisor

CONTACT:
M: (512) 415-0748
Email: lfehd@hp-strategies.com

Comment on this Article

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *