When Writers Can’t Write And Leaders Can’t Lead

When Writers Can’t Write And Leaders Can’t Lead

Perhaps you had a stray thought over the last 2 weeks “But what happened to Marguerite’s newsletter”? You would be right to wonder, for this is my first “fortnightly” newsletter in a month. I ran into writer’s block, along with the gamut of emotions – guilt, anger, worry, fear. And then I decided to relax, go with the flow and see what happened. I decided to make it a learning experience.

Digging deep, I discovered that my case of writer’s block was mental. I am currently enrolled in a Creative Writing course that whilst enjoyable, has me questioning my writing at a much deeper level. How weird that is – to not write because I am afraid of not writing well. However, once I identified the cause of my writer’s block, I was motivated to write, starting with this newsletter.

Just like “writer’s block” we have “leaders’ block” – those times when we just don’t have the energy and motivation to motivate others. This may occur for a number of reasons:

1. We are physically tired. Perhaps we have not been getting enough restful sleep, regular, invigorating exercise or nutrition. We may even be ill, and our “leader’s block” is a symptom of something more serious in our physical health.
2. We are emotionally drained.
3. We are mentally challenged.

Don’t fight your leader’s block; dig deep to discern the root cause. It could be a time for great learning and growth. Digging deep is in and of itself action. Because once you have found the root cause, you are empowered to address it.

STRATEGY

Strategy is not static. Good strategy is focused on achieving your vision, but is responsive to external and internal factors. These are always changing so regular review of your strategy is key to maintaining its integrity. Regular review means:

1. Monthly reporting and review of performance against the targets set.
2. Annual review of the strategy

Whenever I facilitate a Strategic Plan for a client, I point out that the strategy WILL change. They must expect it to change and build in a process to ensure that it changes in the right and orderly way. The monthly reviews provide an opportunity for fine-tuning objectives, measures and targets. In the annual review you step back and take a higher-level view, perhaps making major adjustments at this time or even totally overhauling the strategy, if there has been a major change in the external environment.

Because the Balanced Scorecard is measures-based, and therefore objective, it is an excellent tool for reporting on and reviewing strategy. But only if you use it for your monthly and annual reviews.

TAKE ONE ACTION

Think about the blocks you are experiencing to being the leader you want to be – are they physical, emotional, mental or all three?

Identify one, dig deep into the root cause and commit to one action to address it. For example, if you are feeling tired, take a mini-vacation. Or get a medical done.

INTERESTING LINKS

What’s keeping business leaders up at night?

3 things: do they have the right talent? Do they have a process for innovation? And do they have the right information to make the right decisions on time?
– click to view video + article

Speaking of Innovation, here are 4 tips for embedding it in your organisation’s DNA.
– click to view article

Please check out World Science U – it’s a fascinating website that shares courses on science. There are short videos for the time-starved, and longer courses for those who really want to learn. It’s great for high schoolers and lifelong learners (especially people like me who didn’t like math and science at high school)
– click to view World Science U