Strategic Storyboarding

You’ve got an inspiring business vision. A winning strategy. And surefire tactics. What could possibly derail your plans?
I hate to break this one to you. And if you were in the room, you’d probably come flying over to grab me by the throat. I’ll risk it.
The one thing that can kill your strategy isn’t on the wall. It’s not in your storyboards…you have to look somewhere else entirely.
You have to look in the mirror.
If you’re micromanaging…if you have to know before anyone goes into action…if you have to make sure things go your way…then, you are micromanaging.
I just got off the phone with a Director of Training who was happily telling me that his new boss didn’t insist on looking at his slide deck before his presentation. Must have really trusted him.
That’s swell.
But what about the other folks? Each one had to have their new boss previewing. Yikes. This new boss is off the chart micromanaging even ‘tho my friend got off the hook.

So here’s the deal.

I know how you feel. No one, and I mean no one, does it as perfectly as you do. They don’t understand the vision. They don’t get the strategy and they certainly can’t do it right when it comes time to implement the plan.
That’s why you’re so insistent. Right?
Forget it. If you’re on the micromanaging path, it’s a thinly disguised martyr tactic. Nothing pretty about this. And don’t even think about calling this tight control a form of leadership.

It’s a big ‘ole trap.

If you need to micromanage, go fold your socks. A well-organized sock drawer is satisfying. You can color coordinate. Fold precisely so every pair matches perfectly. It feels good.
But don’t try to keep this level of control if you truly want to facilitate and lead your team.
Take a look in the mirror.
You’ll see the killer problem staring you right in the face.

Of course, the flip side is this is the one area where you have a profound and powerful influence. You don’t have to work on the vision, strategy, leadership team or project group.

You have to let go and let your team take ideas into action. Be a great leader. Let go.

It all starts with you.