Category: Planning

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The Leaders Playbook: Incremental changes over time

At the beginning of each year, we often sit down to set out audacious goals that are well intended but for a multitude of reasons we don’t reach them. Over time that can make a big negative impact on us. Goal setting is a good thing – not reaching them is not so good.

Over the years I’ve certainly set my fair share of audacious goals – many that I did not reach. A few years back I changed my approach.

To give me the best probability of reaching my goal I now take the important step of building smaller incremental “en route” plans that ensure that I remain on a positive trajectory toward reaching my ultimate goals. Building realistic, measurable, and attainable mid-points on my journey has been a game changer for me. Small incremental wins, delivered every day, make all the difference.

Good luck – and get after it.

The Author is currently serving as an active-duty military officer. Any comments or recommendations on this post or on this site are solely and expressly my personal views and do not represent the position of any branch of the United States Government, the Department of Defense, or the Department of the Air Force.

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The Leaders Playbook: “Be Prepared”, thinking about contingencies ahead of time.

“Be Prepared” The Boy Scout of America Motto

Robert Baden-Powell, Founder of the Boy Scouts of America

We choose how we respond to contingencies in life and leadership.

The COVID-19 pandemic is like nothing we have seen or handled in many years.  

These are historic and challenging times.  Much of our Nation is self-isolating and our healthcare system and economy are struggling under the weight and pressure.  

We all have a role to play, especially those leading organizations and more important households. 

This is a time for leaders, at work and at home. 

While always remaining frosty and calm, we should encourage our families, friends, and teammates to proactively think about what contingencies they might face and develop deliberate plans on how to handle them – before we have to potentially deal with them.  

A few examples we have been thinking through include: 

  • What are the symptoms of the virus?  Do I have the tools to potentially identify the virus?
  • If someone does get sick, where will I take them?  What is the phone number? Where is the nearest testing facility?
  • If someone does get sick, how will we handle quarantine?  At work? At home?
  • What supplies do we need and when can we get them?

There are many other contingencies that leaders should think about during this challenging time. The key is to sit down and think about what could happen in a calm and deliberate manner striving to “Be Prepared” for any contingency.  Trust me, thinking about contingencies ahead of them always pays off. Always.

Stay healthy my friends.

The Author is currently serving as an active-duty military officer. Any comments or recommendations on this post or on this site are solely my personal views and do not represent the position of any branch of the United States Government.