How important is it for a leader to be a forward thinker, to anticipate change, and to execute when the time is right?

2016-07-31T12:51:36-04:00

RP Members your feedback, comments, and insight are welcome!

Change in today’s business environment as well as the environment that we serve in as part of the military (wartime or peacetime) ever constantly changing. Nothing will remain the same over time. Change is constant! As a Leader are you thinking forward to undertake projects or initiatives to improve performance, seize opportunities or address key issues, that often require changes; changes to processes, job roles, organizational structures and types and uses of technology?

It is actually the employees or service members within in your organization who have to ultimately change how they do their jobs and how they think. If these individuals are unsuccessful in their personal transitions, if they don’t embrace and learn a new way of working, the initiative will fail. If individuals embrace and adopt changes required by the initiative, it will deliver the expected results.

Leaders understand that the only constant in today's environment is...change! Leaders do not have the luxury of sitting back and waiting for change to wreak havoc on their organizations - a leader has to lead change.

Response by SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM made Jul 31 at 2016 12:58 PM

2016-07-31T12:58:02-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs ,
The exquisite ability to adapt and be flexible to change is a must in many modern industries. Primary reason being is because most are moving at a pace similar to a fast moving train, in which members of the organization must stay abreast of changes with regards to policy, vision, operational employment, and mission objectives. One great attribute that military members adopt, although not by choice is the ability to be successful on the fly with little time for adjustment. The civilian sector moves in this same manner, however the military skill set warrants a greater support for circumstances as such that serves as a key advantageous attribute for both sectors. Thanks for the share.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2016 1:13 PM

2016-07-31T13:13:00-04:00

Imperative.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 31 at 2016 2:02 PM

2016-07-31T14:02:28-04:00

In the terms of the military and our current threat climate, I would say absolutely essential. I do not think it is much different within business either since global markets are constantly shifting and leaders must remain innovative and adaptive in order to complete.

Response by SGT Daniel Whitfield Sr. made Jul 31 at 2016 3:38 PM

2016-07-31T15:38:35-04:00

That is the purpose of a leader. Without the ability to anticipate change or react to change business would be chaotic and nonproductive.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made Jul 31 at 2016 3:45 PM

2016-07-31T15:45:45-04:00

I'd say it's paramount and extremely important for leaders to be forward thinking and be ready to execute the mission in a blink of an eye COL Mikel J. Burroughs

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jul 31 at 2016 7:13 PM

2016-07-31T19:13:31-04:00

The challenge is to identify effective change that will move the organization forward. There is a lot of change sold in corporate America under the moniker that "change is necessary/good" and we just need to get on board. After 28 years in fortune 500 companies (and three mergers/acquisitions) I have seen my fair share of change. I have seen disasters and I have seen successes. The real skill is knowing the difference (beforehand). There is far too much lemming activity around change. Corporate America is littered with failures and successes. The new way is not always better, the new product not always better (new coke anyone?).

We need more willingness to look at change like anything else. Somewhat skeptically. We used to have a saying that at the gates stand 10,000 guardians of the past. I used to comment that if there are 10,000 perhaps it might be worth at least a listen.

I have lead change initiatives managing a 1/2 billion dollar(sales) segment and I have gone into strategic redesigns with consultants and the whole 9 yards. I went through one about 6 years ago to completely turn around the company. It went on for about 4 years until it was obvious it hadn't worked and the company was spun off. The change did not work and was not successful but believe it or not the CEO still called it a success because we were spun off. Lot's of people didn't survive that but it was a success I guess.

Change when done correctly can work wonders. Things like LEAN/Six Sigma can have real and positive impact on the work done and the results produced and is usually embraced by the folks doing the work as they participate in some ways with the change development. Most folks will change willingly when they see the benefit. It is when the become resistant that folks need to listen, at least a little.

The non stop sloganeering around change is concerning. The notion that if line level employees do not embrace the change and learn a new way to work the initiative will fail is some of the most dangerous rhetoric. That's right, if the change fails it must be someone else's fault. Who can we blame? I know, let's blame the workers. How is that for standup leadership?

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Jul 31 at 2016 11:13 PM

2016-07-31T23:13:39-04:00

It is incredibly important for a leader to execute when the time is right using as much information that is available at that point in time COL Mikel J. Burroughs.
Planning is very useful. Good leaders follow to 1/3 to 2/3 rule in planning. Allow yourself and your primary staff 1/3 of the planning time and give the other 2/3's of the time to subordinate units or elements.

Response by SSG Rob Schwandt made Aug 1 at 2016 12:47 AM

2016-08-01T00:47:00-04:00

Change occurs normally when something catastrophic happens, then committees are formed to study what could we have done to prevent this. Corporations change when mergers happen and it is forced introduction and implementation simultaneously. This could be a good thing or bad, some people are horrible with change and others thrive on it, but if it is taught and introduced slowly it eventually becomes muscle memory. I think change for the most part is a good thing as long as there are clear concise goals and expectations. The newer employees will catch on faster, for they are not set in the ways of old.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 1 at 2016 9:00 AM

2016-08-01T09:00:18-04:00

Change is inevitable to happen so you must be prepared. If you are unwilling to adapt you will be left behind and considered nonessential. Being on top of your game is essential for success.

Response by SFC Istvan Nagy made Aug 1 at 2016 10:05 AM

2016-08-01T10:05:10-04:00

When I got promoted to SGT, my then CSM told me, as a leader I need to be proactive rather than reactive.

Response by SSG Keith Cashion made Aug 1 at 2016 11:17 AM

2016-08-01T11:17:50-04:00

COL Mikel J. Burroughs Waiting for the next EXORD or Policy change is to only set yourself up for failure. Looking forward and see how the industry or military for that matter is leaning forward is always something a leader should be doing. I have always given the advise, as the old saying goes "One Down and Two Up," forget the one down and look at the two up. I tell Soldiers all the time, you want that position two up from yours, and if that is Squad Leader, PSG, 1SG or Division Chief, MPD Chief, DHR, then that is where you need to concentrate. Know there jobs and strive to get to get there. That is true in any profession, whether or not in civilian or military.

Don't wait for the change, affect the change.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 2 at 2016 2:02 PM

2016-08-02T14:02:02-04:00

This is really only as important as the command/business culture makes it. Without the proper support, a leader's attempt to be adaptive, efficient and anticipative of command needs are not going to be successful. What's worse, if you are these things by nature, being in a non-supportive culture could have long term effects that you carry to your next assignment.

Response by MAJ Michael Pauling made Aug 6 at 2016 12:43 PM

2016-08-06T12:43:09-04:00

depends of whom is determining the time is right.................

Response by PO2 Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 8 at 2016 8:29 PM

2016-08-08T20:29:15-04:00

Extremely. While some things from the past are still relative to today, we live in 2016 not in the 1940s or 60s.

Response by SGT Robert George made Aug 9 at 2016 3:41 PM

2016-08-09T15:41:49-04:00

you'll be left in the dust if you dont anticipate change !!!

Response by SSG Chad Carruth made Aug 10 at 2016 3:02 PM

2016-08-10T15:02:50-04:00

I think it is imperative! Forward thinking is the key to overcome whatever task is at hand. You don't deploy to a combat zone without knowing who your enemy is or where you are going. You sure don't go without ammunition! If you try to think and plan a step or two ahead you are more likely to accomplish your mission. But, you can learn so much from the past too! :)

Response by SA Jim Arnold made Aug 12 at 2016 5:24 PM

2016-08-12T17:24:44-04:00

The importance is substantial. Being a leader means always thinking of the next, or another option.....therefore the thinking ahead, as well. When the time is right should come near second nature with a properly trained leader.

Response by CAPT Michael W. Langston, PhD, DMin made Aug 18 at 2016 3:25 PM

2016-08-18T15:25:03-04:00

Being a change agent is important in leading the organization forward in a positive and innovative way. Coupled with this is the ability to be a visionary, seeing the what the future could be and then articulating how one or the organization might get there. I agree with Mike Burroughs change is inevitable, the questions is are you going to be proactive inducing the change or are you going to wait and react to the change that takes place whether you want it or not. I'd rather be the one induing change so we can shape it to fit our needs that is in alignment with our mission and guiding principles.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 26 at 2016 11:28 AM

2016-08-26T11:28:20-04:00

Couldn't have been said better!! Extremely important that leaders are open minded, proactive, and most importantly willing to accept and embrace "Change". We're in changing times and exceptional leaders adapt at all cost. Thinking forward is the only way to continue working toward being an elite and resilient force. =)

Response by CPT Joseph K Murdock made Nov 16 at 2016 3:43 PM

2016-11-16T15:43:25-05:00

I subscribe to if aint broken don't fix it. If change is a must I get all the pertinent leaders together to impact the change.

Response by LTC Joe Likar made Nov 20 at 2016 7:35 PM

2016-11-20T19:35:50-05:00

The one way to adapt and overcome is to anticipate! Without anticipation, one would be lost in today's battlefield.

Response by PO3 Ricky Foster made Nov 28 at 2016 6:50 PM

2016-11-28T18:50:40-05:00

I'm afraid I am too disconnected to either world to have any valuable input

Response by Austin Hocutt made Dec 3 at 2016 4:10 PM

2016-12-03T16:10:52-05:00

I think it is more of a leader who knows when it is the right time to change, because I've found myself (Constantly in say Rainbow Six Siege) leading a team where I accidentally change my squads positioning at the wrong time.

Though it does take a leader who knows when and what to change to make good change.

Response by Cpl Rebecca Nicholson made Dec 10 at 2016 9:10 AM

2016-12-10T09:10:34-05:00

I believe it is absolutely essential to be effective in any kind of leadership position. I try to always incorporate the 14 leadership traits (J.J.D.I.D.T.I.E.B.U.C.K.L.E.) into any type of business project. Any organization MUST be innovated to succeed in today's very quickly evolving market!