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When I’m coaching with a client, we look at ways to expand leadership qualities. Often a client will want to develop an ability to see the bigger picture and become more future-focused.  Some people are naturally predisposed with a future-orientation, but even if you’re not, you can still learn to expand this skill.

Research tells us that of all the ideal leadership qualities, the ability to look forward is second only to honesty as the most admired trait. Focusing on the future sets leaders and aspiring leaders apart.  The capacity to imagine and articulate exciting future possibilities is a defining competency.

It’s important that we all make the time to hone our leadership effectiveness and expand our ability to become more future-oriented.

So my question is, “what are you doing to become more forward-thinking?”

Linda Yaffe
Certified Executive Coach

ENVISION THE FUTURE…WHERE ARE YOU GOING?

What single quality differentiates high-potential leaders from ordinary contributors in an organization?

It’s their ability to be able to see the bigger picture and focus on the future.

On average, 70 percent of workers worldwide select “forward-looking” as a key leadership competency. Think about the leaders you’ve followed or admired. The great ones are visionaries who serve as custodians of the future.

“As we age, gain more experience and move up the organizational hierarchy, our desire for a forward-looking leader increases,” say leadership professors, Barry Posner and Jim Kouzes. While only about one-third of undergraduate college students ranked “forward-looking” among their most important leadership attributes, more than 90 percent of senior executives added it to their lists.

While the ability to focus on the future separates leaders from the rank-and-file, many of us fail to understand and appreciate its importance. We devote almost no time to developing this vital quality, which then becomes a huge barrier to future success.

The challenge of being forward-looking escalates with each managerial level. Front-line supervisors are expected to anticipate events a few months ahead. Mid-level managers have timelines for more complex projects and need to look a few years into the future. Those in the executive suites must focus on goals that are often 10+ years away.

Do you look beyond what’s in front of you — especially when daily tasks take up so much time and energy?

How to Develop Future Focus

Carve out some time each week to peer into the distance and imagine what may be out there.

Start with 30 minutes a day, using the time to learn about what’s going on in your industry, with customers, with the potential future of your products and services. You can read magazines, books and/or online research.

Top executives estimate they spend only about 3 percent of their time thinking about, and getting others on board with, the critical issues that will shape their business 10 or more years down the road. It’s simply not enough time.

Sparking Energy for What Really Matters

In tough economic times, everyone hunkers down on tactics. They focus on survival and results. Decisions become pragmatic. After a while, however, this short-term approach grinds us down, and we lose sight of the big picture.

In today’s difficult times, people need to be reminded of why they are doing what they do — and why it matters. This is when leaders can step up and make a difference. Leadership is more than encouraging high-performance; it’s about reminding people of what they are trying to build and why it matters.

In many ways, leadership supplies oxygen to keep the fires going. When people are mired in day-to-day work details, they can lose their bearings. An effective leader makes a difference by helping people see their role in building a better future.

Growing Your Future-Focus

Here is an exercise that you can try. While it will help you connect your past experiences and values with your current work, it will also enable you to become more future oriented. The fact is, when you look backward, you can see farther ahead and imagine future possibilities.

Look for repeating themes in your life — the recurring messages that keep reminding you of what matters most. For younger leaders, there’s less past to recall; however, it’s still important to use the richness of your life experiences to uncover ideals.

Here are some questions to explore:

•    Identify the recurring theme in your life.

•    To which topic do you return again and again?

•    What story do you keep telling and retelling?

Search your past to find the theme. It will probably form the basis of your core values and higher purpose. When you know more about yourself, your dreams and your purpose, it will be easier to keep this information in mind each time you visualize the future.

Outsight: Imagine the Possibilities

To be a credible leader, you need to spend more time reading, thinking and talking about long-term possibilities. Develop the discipline to spend more time studying the future.

Establish a “future committee” dedicated to collecting ideas, articles, information and resources about trends affecting your organization. Track publications, both online and off. Circulate these ideas to stimulate discussions and innovative thinking.

To become a better leader or distinguish yourself as someone primed for promotion, you’ll want to develop your capacity to envision the future.

You’ll have to be able to answer the question, “Where are we going?”

Linda Yaffe
Working Matters 

WorkingMatters' principal, Linda Yaffe, a Leadership Development and Certified Executive Coach, uses her senior and executive level management experience to help you achieve your business and career goals.

Whether you are jump-starting a business, advancing your career, an executive or president, Linda’s coaching expertise will provide you with the essential focus, skills and behaviors needed to perform, advance and lead in today’s business environment.

As well, Linda works closely with companies like yours focused on "high potential grooming and leadership performance enhancement" geared toward your top talent and next generation of leaders.

Linda delivers bottom-line benefits to individuals and organizations focused on moving to the highest levels of learning, performance and achievement.

In addition to coaching, Linda delivers Leadership Workshops to small and large businesses.

Linda abides by the strict code of confidentiality and adheres to the highest standard of ethics in accordance with the International Coach Federation.

For more information, please contact Linda by email at LYaffe@WorkingMatters.com