Have you ever been on a ship in the middle of the ocean with no land in sight? Unless you are the captain of that ship, you need to trust the captain’s knowledge, vision, and ability to steer the ship to your destination. The captain will have chartered the course, looked for obstacles, and understood the navigation required to ensure safe passage. Leadership is very similar to being the captain of a ship. The leader must chart the course for the organization. The organization needs to know where they are going and where they are headed. The leader should be able to see the obstacles ahead that will provide a hazard to the organization and make plans for what needs to be done to avoid the obstacles. Leadership is about preparation and preparation is critical.
As we chart the course, the leader is similar to a navigator. The navigator does the preparation required for the detailed chart to ensure not only the best course, but plan B and C when the best course doesn’t actually work as planned. The leader listens, judges reactions, and determines the source of the reactions. The leader must balance optimism with reality. What I often call the difference between illusion and reality.