The challenge of agility

How often do you schedule time on your calendar to think about your company? Do you regularly consider if your current personnel are the right fit for their roles, contemplate future trends in your industry and evaluate how your business measures up to competitors?

Research suggests that to excel as a leader you need to spend minimally 30% of your time on your business and 70% in your business. However, according to the most successful leaders I have coached, you might want to reverse those numbers. In fact, thinking is the single most important activity you can engage in as a leader.

Asking the right questions is only the first step in this essential process. Being open to disruptive thinking and potentially unsettling conclusions are critical aspects of great leadership. Stellar leaders must be agile in their thinking to face difficult challenges and successfully lead organizations in a new direction — even if that new vision makes them uncomfortable.