Stride consists of long decisive steps in a specified direction. Effective execution consists of overcoming hurdles without breaking stride.
If you have followed my work you will recognize the following graphic, which depicts a simplistic journey. Rare does a journey not have hurdles that need to be overcome. Unfortunately, many people allow hurdles to become insurmountable obstacles, which not only impede their progress, but divert them from their destination, or cause them to stop.
Standing still does not negate the reality you are on a journey, it just represents a lack of progress.
Great leaders learn to take whatever hurdles life throws at them while maintaining stride. They do that by:
- Developing a good stride before hurdles present themselves
- Recognizing the difference between real and perceived hurdles
- Not shying away from hurdles when they come, but seeing them as a challenge or opportunity to become even better
- Refining their stride with smaller hurdles as they come
- Continuing to run hard regardless of the hurdles
Your role as a leader is to invite others on a journey and develop stride so that you can effectively navigate the path as a team, regardless of the hurdles that present along the way, to get to your destination together.
Herb Mast is a Leadership Coach and Employee Engagement Specialist. Learn how he can assist you in implementing the principles and concepts presented here.