Steering Stars Will Guide Executives To Success When Leading Through Constant Change
Originally published in Forbes, August 2020
Chris “Mitch” Mitchell
Thousands of years ago, indigenous peoples of Polynesia traversed the expanse of the Pacific Ocean, exploring and settling some of the most remote islands on the planet, all without the benefit of physical navigational instruments. Instead, they embraced wayfinding — proven techniques and knowledge that helped navigators orient themselves using such elemental properties as the stars, the sun and water conditions. As a result, they never risked being lost at sea because of instrumentation failures.
The nature of today’s crises sheds new light on the wisdom of wayfinding, especially for businesses. Executives accustomed to creating and executing plans using familiar and playbook-centric approaches with mostly accurate forecasts are now faced with a new and volatile reality. Conditions have changed. This is completely uncharted territory.
Unsurprisingly, many executives have been feeling less in control and even somewhat lost — like they’re drifting on the open ocean. Their GPS is broken. There is no map — not even a compass. Yet they still have to lead. Their choices will have a profound impact on their organizations and the livelihoods of their people. With little to no insight from the tools they once depended on, they still must go forward.
My firm’s own analysis of C-suite perspectives showed that 70% of surveyed executives are still “establishing a new normal” as a direct result of the pandemic and economic fallout. What’s more, 40% expressed they were only comfortable making plans within a mere four-week time frame.
“Through a combination of personal observation and reflection, input from others and testing and learning, leaders can discover their own trusted steering stars. ”
Like the ancient wayfinders, executives these days should seek to identify permanent “navigational markers” to help guide their decision-making process. They can start by identifying their own personal “steering stars” — trusted indicators that will serve to guide them when more modern tools are no longer effective. Through a combination of personal observation and reflection, input from others and testing and learning, leaders can discover their own trusted steering stars. By orienting to them, executives will be able to find their way forward, even in the most unpredictable circumstances.
In my work as a founder, leader, advisor and coach, I have come to identify my own steering stars and know I can trust them to guide my decision-making process. I am careful to:
Pay attention to that little voice, somewhere deep inside, expecting internal clues and wisdom.
Scan the environment, looking for mission-critical and relevant external data.
Check my thinking with at least a few key trusted advisors who will give their opinion candidly.
And finally, my direction forward needs to fit with my deepest core values.
Of course, ancient navigators learned the craft of wayfinding over generations, with elders passing down knowledge and techniques to their students. They were never expected to quickly become navigational experts. They also didn’t begin their first instruction in the middle of a storm. It is similarly unreasonable for CEOs and other top executives to expect to master a wayfinder’s touch while leading their businesses amidst a global crisis.
Experienced advisors and coaches can help guide leaders through a wayfinding process. These professionals can bring deep knowledge, objectively and with a fresh perspective, which will help leaders and companies wrestle with the essential questions they must answer in order to find their way forward to succeed.
The spread of Covid-19 has revealed fundamental flaws in innumerable facets of our society and business world. With sudden force, it has made many familiar tools and established models irrelevant and ineffective. But leaders and companies can still find their way. With some support and guidance, especially from experienced executive coaches and advisors, they can learn to uncover and understand their own personal steering stars, learn how to interpret where those stars are guiding them and use that information to confidently lead their organizations into the future.
About the Author
Chris “Mitch” Mitchell leads the coaching practice at FMG Leading. A seasoned and motivating leader, coach, advisor, and speaker with over 25 years of experience, his expertise lies in his ability to successfully guide executives through times of upheaval and transformative change.