Meet John Song

Small moments from a long life

Effective leaders can course-correct & take everyone on the journey

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Sometimes I envy those who are satisfied traveling alone on life’s journeys. How easy is that? You get to choose where you want to go, which route to take, what pace you want to travel. You don’t have to convince anyone else. You don’t have to build consensus.

I often think about this in business terms. One of the reasons that I’ve been involved with six startups is  for this very reason. I’m confident that I understand developing market trends, especially around digital marketing. I set the vision and off I go. Along the way, I take on partners and companions but the vision has already been set and people are joining the journey because they agree with the business plan.

Much more difficult is changing the direction of your journey midstream with a new vision. Now, you must convince people who didn’t initially sign up for the “new” vision. It has to be compelling and yet simple enough for everyone to understand. You need to be patient, persuasive, thick-skinned and articulate. And in many cases, you have to admit that the original direction that was set was wrong. Basically, you need to be a leader, which is hard work.

I respect those effective managers who are able to implement a new strategic direction that keep large organizations viable. They move people, which is the only way to move “mountains”.  This article, “Good Leaders Acknowledge What Can’t Be Done” (Harvard Business Journal), explains how  “even when things clearly aren’t going right, strong psychological tendencies keep the average leader from admitting it and correcting course.”

The ability to acknowledge that a new strategy is needed is in of itself quite a unique skill. Then, to course-correct and effectively take a whole oragnization on a new journey would be showing superior leadership skills. Think about all the great corporate turnarounds today (Starbucks, IBM, Apple, etc), and the companies that need new strategic direction right now but are struggling to make changes (i.e. publishing companies). The difference is in the leadership.

4 responses

  1. Eddie Lee Avatar
    Eddie Lee

    I think I understand what you are saying. Admitting you are wrong, and moving beyond that to find a solution, is extremely difficult. It takes more than leadership though. It takes a level of confidence in one’s abilities and vision – even to have the vision to change course. I don’t think this is really something that can be learned, though. It is inherent to the core personality of a person. Some people have that confidence in themselves; some don’t. Thank you for sharing this, it has really made me stop and think about leadership and responsibility in a leadership role, as well as the personal confidence needed to be a true business leader. Thank you.

    Reply
    1. meetjohnsong Avatar
      meetjohnsong

      Eddie, thanks for the thoughtful comment. I, however, believe confidence is a big part of leadership. One way I’ve improved my confidence as a leader is to make sure that the decisions I make are in the best interest of my team (or company). If I’m sure that this is the case in my heart, it gives me a lot of confidence in the direction that I set forth. Good luck.

      Reply
  2. Liju Thomas Avatar
    Liju Thomas

    I believe that changing direction in the midway is not a virtue of strong hearted. If you are aiming at something and if you are sure the way you have chosen is the right way, then only reason for you to change direction should be because the earth below your foot has moved. When I say the right aim/way, one should not keep unrealistic goals… Things that can’t be done just can’t be done. Leader should never tell his follower to go places where he himself has not visited b4.

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    1. meetjohnsong Avatar
      meetjohnsong

      While I agree that one shouldn’t take course-correcting in midstream lightly, there are times when situations change. For example, an unexpected foreign threat could require changes to international polciies. In the case of business, new disruptive forces are regularly introduced into the market place requiring changes in strategy. Other times, leaders just set the wrong course and must be enough of a leader to admit the mistake and course correct.
      But certainly, a leader who changes his mind (direction) regularly is not an effective leader.

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