See the pool, not the lane
"A lion chased me up a tree, and I greatly enjoyed the view from the top." Confucius
Think about roles you have fulfilled in companies and organizations. You probably had a primary role you fulfilled or task that you accomplished which contributed to a greater overall mission. If you got your part right, all was good – a single swimming lane. You may have been a leader overseeing several lanes, unable to focus on a single one, hoping everyone would not only perform superbly in their lane but contribute to the other lanes in support of the greater mission and vision.
It is the role of leaders not only to see beyond a single lane but to get others to see as well. A subordinate who fails to see beyond their lane, operates in a vacuum and does not serve their leader or organization well. A leader who fails to understand their role in seeing across several lanes and synchronizing them is less effective.
In coaching recently I’ve been talking about this. I coach the leader to be more like a true CEO, understanding and embracing the role. I coach them to understand they may be alone when it comes to seeing across several lanes trying to bring them together as one. Among their greatest challenges is that they are often a mile wide – seeing across multiple lanes, and an inch deep – not able to have a depth of knowledge and understanding of each. CEOs can be bombarded by individuals, specialists, and consultants who swim in a single lane and want conditions (resources, environment, etc.) to be perfect. While they must listen, empathize, and understand, they must always see the entire pool.
Let me further illustrate and I’ll be a bit unfair here, but I’ll do so only to make a point. HR will want to bring HR specific topics and requirements to the boss. Lawyers will offer legal advice specific to the law sometimes impervious to the impact to others and to the organization. A consultant may offer advice specific to what they practice ignorant of other ‘lanes’ such as the company budget for instance. See the pool.
If you are a subordinate and you specialize in one aspect of a business, do the work to understand what is happening in the other lanes and how your work integrates. If you are the leader, never take your eyes off the big picture. Don’t be overly romanced by what an individual is pitching. Listen well and take it all in but know that there are other lanes to tend to.
Plastic and rope lane lines in a pool do a fine job of keeping people (swimmers) and their work (swimming) separated but the water doesn’t care. It will drift from lane to lane having its impact. The water sees the big picture. You must as well.
Make it Personal!
Rob
Rob Campbell