Having your blinders on is an old saying that basically refers to not being able to recognize or accept what is around you. Many leaders today are living their careers with the blinders on and at the same time are bouncing from one program or initiative to the other in hopes of changing things for the better. They can’t figure out why their organization is not operating at a high level. Sadly, many of these leaders have come to the point of accepting mediocrity.
How do you know if you have the blinders on?
- You’re not in the top 25% of your industry.
- You haven’t laid out a clear and written vision for the organization
- You think having a strategic plan is too rigid, you’re more reactionary and like going with the flow or winging it.
- You make frequent use of the words “Yeah, but”. Yeah, but… then name your excuse.
- You actually think “it’s different here” and that no one on the planet has the same challenges as you.
- You think positive reinforcement for habitual underachievers is the secret key to success.
- You think it’s mean and cruel to hold people accountable. Never mind what the investors, board and owners think.
- You ignore, or worse, you attack others in your organization that dare question something you want to do.
- You don’t conduct effective weekly team meetings (effective means less than 30 minutes) in order to keep score.
- You find yourself continually dumbing down whatever performance standards you have put in place.
Take off the blinders, read this list again, look in the mirror and recognize or accept what is going on around you. Hint: Effective leaders recognize what’s working and repeat it as frequently as possible.
