Life can often seem like a maze. 

We move forward with what we believe to be a well thought through plan, just to find ourselves at a dead end. At those times we can feel stuck, especially when life’s pressures [causing cortisol to course through our vein] shut down our creative and innovative [thinking] brain (Limbic).

It is hard for a day to go by in an automotive dealership without somebody quoting the definition of insanity—usually in response to the breakdown of a process—when they get to such a dead end.

Seems that most of what is done day-in and day-out in the average dealership is similar to what has been done in the past—almost like Groundhog Day. The funny thing is how everyone is surprised when yesterday’s thinking doesn’t solve today’s problems…and the cycle continues.

Great Leaders, however, understand the importance of elevated thinking in order to solve today and tomorrow’s problems—being proactive and not just reactive. To do so they maintain an effective meeting cadence through which they tap into the minds and thoughts of their peers and followers. And, since they have invested leadership capital in past interactions, others willingly engage with them in problem solving.

How Great Leaders elevate their thinking:

• They build leadership capital by investing in others so that others gladly provide a collaborative return on that investment when needed.
• They establish an effective meeting cadence where issues can be discussed in a timely manner and solved by an expanded group.
• They don’t try to solve everything themselves, rather, they assemble a cohesive team through which brain-power is expanded.

Herb Mast is a Leadership Coach and Employee Engagement Specialist. Learn how he can assist you in implementing the principles and concepts presented here.