Knowing when to Zoom In to the details vs Zoom Out to gain perspective is a critical skill few leverage effectively
The premise behind zooming in and zooming out is simple. There are times as a leader when you need to be close to things. Close to your product. Close to the technology. Close to your customers and employees. In these times you are in the proverbial weeds. You are literally “in the engine room” where timing, specificity, and nuance matter. This is being zoomed in.
Alternatively, there are times when you need to gain perspective, think big, and set the trajectory for the future. This is being zoomed out, and is the exact opposite of being in the engine room…
If you lined up five panes of crystal clear glass, one in front of the other, you would be able to see from one end to the other. In fact, you’d be able to see all the way through the far pane of glass. That’s because there’s very little interference between you and the object(s) or scenery on the other side. However, even if one of the panes of glass is smudged, fogged up, or dirty, it inhibits the ability to see clearly.
Everyone gets the same 24 hours in a day. There’s not a person on Earth that gets more or less than anyone else. The key differentiator becomes who can leverage their 24 hours most appropriately.
I use the word “appropriately” intentionally. Efficiently or effectively could be used as well, although that would elude to the notion that packing more stuff into your 24 hours is the ultimate goal. I’m advocating the opposite. I believe that one of the biggest fallacies in today’s business world is the belief that motion equals progress. This is a lie.
The most common response I…
No matter what you do, don’t ever say Yes (unless you absolutely mean it). Why? Because one Yes equals ten Yes’s. That’s right — every time you say Yes it’s like saying Yes to ten things!
Every Yes you give has layers upon layers of commitments behind it. These commitments then become the proverbial “monkeys” on your back.
“Yes. I’ll help you solve your problem”
“Yes. I’ll meet for lunch tomorrow.”
“Yes. I’ll have that done by Monday.”
To lead effectively, one must simultaneously maintain visibility of both the details and the Big Picture. Leaders must constantly find ways to optimize their own efforts, as well as those of their teams. This is easier said than done, and unfortunately, many leaders get caught in cycles of working harder…not necessarily smarter.
The idea of going slow…to go fast has been around for ages. I was first introduced to the concept by Sue Bethanis, founder and CEO of Mariposa Leadership. I worked with Sue for many years after graduate school and learned an immense amount from her and the team…
There is a HUGE difference between having good intentions and actually making a positive impact. The former is where most people spend their time. The latter is what truly makes a difference.
They say, “The road to Hell is paved with good intentions,” and now that I’ve been an executive coach and consultant for a decade I think I know more of what this actually means.
In my experience, most founders and business owners have nothing but good intentions. They work hard and want to do what’s best for their customers, employees, and stakeholders. …
I’m one of those people who absolutely loves his job. I wake up every morning knowing that I get to help people and businesses become better. More than anything else, I love it when people have “Aha moments”. You can see it in their face every time. Concepts suddenly click. A missing puzzle piece is found. Ambiguity becomes tangible, and the fuzzy becomes clear. It’s those light bulb moments when the complex becomes simple.
Life can be unpredictable at times. It can feel messy, hectic, and out of our control. The minute you think you have it all figured out…something changes. You plan to go left, but the universe forces you to go right. Murphy’s Law kicks in and what can go wrong…often does go wrong.
During these times, it’s important to remember that there’s no such thing as bad weather…just bad gear, and planning a little in advance for the unexpected can make a huge difference.
I was born and raised in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. My father was a homebuilder and…
Perspective is everything. If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change. This is as true in business as it is in life. For leaders in organizations, it’s critical to know when to dig into the details, as well as when to lift your head up to see the big picture. All too often leaders get stuck in the weeds.
Earlier this year, I was on a two-week rafting trip through the Grand Canyon with my family. I grew up in Colorado and our version of a family vacation always consisted of some outdoor…
Over the years I’ve come to realize that everyone in their own unique way is completely bat shit crazy. I say this tongue in cheek, but then again, I’m dead serious. We’re all our own little version of nuts! We have fears, anxieties, blind spots, and insecurities. We all talk to ourselves and have voices in our heads. In fact, that voice is speaking to you now. What’s it saying?
“What the hell is this post actually about?”
“What color should I paint the bathroom?”
“Man…was he in a fowl mood this morning.”
“I’m thirsty.”
If folks really knew what…
Regan Bach
Executive Coach | Consultant | Advisor — Managing Partner at Better Faster Further — We help Leaders, Teams and Organizations maximize peak performance.
