Leadership - 5 Reasons to Keep Focus on the Bigger Picture by By Duncan Brodie

In these challenging and demanding times, much of the focus is naturally in areas such as cash and cost cutting. Yet if you are a leader in the organisation, it is important that as well as tackling the immediate challenges, you don't lose sight of the bigger picture for the following reasons.

Reason 1: The recession won't last forever

While this might seem like a statement divorced from reality, we all know that the economy has historically gone through cycles. At some point the economy will improve and no organisation will want to be in the position where it takes too long to get back in the game.

Reason 2: The overall purpose, vision or need for the organisation has not disappeared

Any organisation big or small we set up at some point to serve a particular need. While there might well be examples of the way in which the need is addressed changes, it is unlikely that the overall purpose for which the organisation was established will disappear.

Reason 3: People have short memories

Once the economy improves, chances are new opportunities and new threats will appear. If you are not ready to exploit opportunities or detect new threats, stakeholders will ask the question why? Yes you may have been focusing all of your attention on the short term but people will quickly forget how bad it was.

Reason 4: You cannot afford to stand still

An organisation that is going to achieve longer term sustained success needs to continue to innovate in difficult times. If you don't you run the risk of being caught up or even being passed by others who have more successfully balanced the short and long term.

Reason 5: You want to take the best decisions

Without doubt you will have to take decisions. Ideally you want to take the best decision, with the best information you have available. The best decisions are those that appropriately balance short term fixes and long term sustainability.

Bottom Line - When times are tough it is easy and tempting to get caught up in the circumstances and problems. On the other hand the best leaders will focus will be on the bigger picture.

Sources: ezinearticles dot com

About Author

Duncan Brodie is Managing Director at Goals and Achievements a Leadership Development Company that works with highly rated technical professionals who are ready to make the transition to highly successful managers and leaders. He is a qualified accountant, certified coach and team coach facilitator. Before settting up his own business spent 25 years in accountancy working with major organisations including, PricewaterhouseCoopers, Ernst & Young, a UK retail bank and the NHS.