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A Moment to
Plan
by Lee J.
Colan, Ph.D.
(This report is an excerpt from the book
"7
Moments...That Define Excellent Leaders".)
A Moment to Plan is the second defining
moment discussed in
7 Moments… that Define Excellent Leaders.
Several centuries ago, a Japanese emperor commissioned an artist
to paint a bird. A number of months passed, then several years,
and still no painting was brought to the palace. Finally, the
emperor became so exasperated; he went to the artist's home to
demand an explanation.
Instead of making excuses, the artist placed a blank canvas on
the easel. In less than an hour, he completed a painting that
was nothing short of brilliant. When the emperor asked the
reason for the delay, the artist showed him armloads of drawings
of feathers, wings, heads and feet. Then he explained himself.
All of this research and study had been necessary before he
could complete the painting.
How often do we overlook the time it takes to prepare and to
plan anything we accomplish? Just like the Japanese artist who
took years and years to research, study and practice drawing and
painting the details of the brilliant bird that eventually
resulted on his canvas… any goal, anything worth accomplishing
takes planning and preparation.
In today’s warp-speed pace of business, planning and preparing
are often the two steps that tend to get short-circuited on the
way to achieving our goals. Add to this increasing speed of
business the greater complexity of the internal systems,
consumer markets, strategic alliances and distribution channels,
and it’s easy to see how the need for planning is greater than
ever. In fact, planning is a crucial step in every success
and a requirement of all things excellent.
Planning is important leadership work because our product is a
work of art. British sculptor Sir Jacob Epstein was once visited
in his studio by the eminent author and fellow Briton, George
Bernard Shaw. During their chat, Shaw noticed a huge block of
marble standing in one corner and asked what it was for.
"I don't know yet,” Epstein replied. “I'm still making plans."
Shaw was astounded. "You mean you plan your work? Why, I change
my mind several times a day!"
"That's all very well when you’re working with a four-ounce
manuscript," replied the sculptor, "but not with a four-ton
block of marble."
As leaders, we may not be shaping marble, but we are shaping
something much more important and precious – people’s lives and
their livelihoods. Our product cannot be measured in pounds
or tons. A leader’s product has immeasurable psychological,
emotional and professional weight!
A defining moment for the excellent leader is the day he takes
time to plan – to chart a course for his team – versus reacting
to daily, tactical demands. It’s in that moment a manager
becomes a leader. This defining moment has less to do with an
official title than it does with a decision we each make.
Seize the moment to plan… and excel.
P.S. – The classic mini-movie,
The
Nature of Excellence, will inspire your pursuit of
excellence. Take 3 minutes to watch it now!
Copyright © 2008 by Lee J. Colan and The L
Group, Inc.Return to Back Issues
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