Still dark, driving to the airport in the early dawn on winding mountain roads, old habits kick in.

I grew up in the rural upper Appalachians, the endless mountains. I was taught when driving in the dark, on winding sometimes gravel roads a technique of ‘riding my headlights’.

Drive somewhat in the middle, looking beyond the beam of your lights. Periphery vision catches the flow of the road, center vision, is actively looking for the unexpected beyond my beam: glowing eyes of deer, farm equipment left on the side, the glow on the trees from the oncoming car far over the ridge.

You’re activating your instincts to respond before the event hits your lights. You are giving yourself room to maneuver.

I realize this technique is useful when ‘driving’ an org. Your vision should ride just beyond your orgs operational headlights. Speeding forward your company is following the strategic road.

If your eyes are watching beyond, just into the dark. You will be able to activate your orgs capabilities before an event hits the lights; anticipating beyond what you can see, will inspire but don't go so far that you risk selling snake oil.

Challenge your org’s ability to operate at that very edge of its capabilities can create a culture of maneuverability.

"Ride your headlights"

Original Linkedin Post: http://bit.ly/2v8bozW

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