Leadership Lessons From Your GPS Guidance System

If you want to be a better leader then take a look at the satellite navigation system (GPS) in your car. Here is what it can teach:

1. The Sat Nav stays focused on the destination. Regardless of blocked roads, obstacles, traffic and diversions it continues to focus on finding a way of reaching the strategic goal – the destination. In the same way a great leader continues to focus on the vision and the strategic goal despite short-term tactical difficulties.

2. The Sat Nav is flexible about how to get there. It is not committed to one way of reaching the destination; it is quite happy to find a different way when necessary. In the same way the leader should be committed to the goals but open-minded about how to achieve them.

3. The Sat Nav stays calm no matter what. Even if the driver and passenger screw up all the instructions the Sat Nav remains unemotional and supportive. It never gets angry or loses its temper. A good leader is calm and reassuring with his or her team even when they get things wrong or hit problems.

4. The Sat Nav continually updates the driver on progress and directions. A great leader continually communicates with the team to emphasise the importance of reaching the goal, what the next steps are and how they can play their role in getting there.

Of course there are many other skills and attributes that a great leader needs. But staying focused on the goal, being calm, being flexible and communicating well are absolutely essential. Become a Sat Nav Leader and take your team to its destination.

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This post was previously published on Destination Innovation.

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