Trail Blazer or Path Finder – Which are you?

I have noticed that some people won’t venture toward new goals unless the path is clear for them whilst others relish the challenge of creating the path for others to follow. What must Change Leaders do to stop the paralysis of the former who are reluctant to start their journey unless they can see their destination straight in front of them?

I have learned that if you give someone 52 things to do they will sit in awe of them and do nothing. However if you give the same person one thing to do each week, and be damn sure that they must do it then quickly you gather momentum because there are far fewer reasons for not doing one thing than there are for not progressing 52.

It does sometimes surprise me that people can’t take 52 things and break them into bite-size pieces for themselves but instead rely upon leaders to create the path and managers to lead them down it, but I guess that’s why we have personal trainers, directions on food packets and all sorts of other things to prompt and guide us through the maze of information and possibilities that confuse and distract us.

I once thought that giving some templates and guidance was like giving a map and compass and would give people the skills, confidence and ability to set their own path, but I suspect that not everyone likes to be a self-reliant back-packer. Some prefer the five-star comfort of knowing that everything has been done for them and the only thing that they need to consider is what happens next.

The challenge of leadership therefore is to recognize these two very different travelers and give each a role that fits their talents and ensures their progress toward their new destination. If you can blaze a trail and create innovation and creativity, whilst also setting a path for others to easily follow then you are probably on the right track to be a Change Leader.

Tim Rogers

Founder ciChange

timrogers@ciChange.org

http://www.linkedin.com/groups/CI-Change-4301853

ciChange seminar and networking events for 2013 sponsored by Total Solutions Group http://www.tsgi.co/