Posted on Jul 31, 2016
How important is it for a leader to be a forward thinker, to anticipate change, and to execute when the time is right?
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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.
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.
Leadership
Leadership Development
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What Would You Do
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Edited >1 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 24
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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.
COL Mikel J. Burroughs
2LT Michael Brodka You are spot on - complacency can be a killer in both environments!
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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!
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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.
Though it does take a leader who knows when and what to change to make good change.
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I'm afraid I am too disconnected to either world to have any valuable input
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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. =)
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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.
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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.
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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.
Don't wait for the change, affect the change.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SSG Keith Cashion Great commentary! Thanks for sharing your insight and knowledge!
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