I do a fair amount of consulting for businesses and organizations of all types.  I've worked with Fortune 500 businesses, not-for-profit organizations, mid-market companies, and academic institutions.  The cultures, proceses, and the general notion of "how things get done around here" have been different for each one.  In fact, that's one of the benefits of my career--understanding how each organization is unique keeps everything interesting

 

I'm also a certified motorcycle safety instructor.  (How many management consultants do you know that ride a motorcycle that will do 0-60 MPH in 2.98 seconds?)  I teach people from all walks of life how to ride motorcycles safely and efficiently.  My students have ranged from those who have never sat on a motorcycle to old hands who have been riding for 30 years.  An interesting observation about that is that everyone has something to learn to make them a better motorcyclist--no matter how long they've been riding.  I often say that when the day comes that I have nothing to learn about motorcycling, that's the day I wil stop riding completely.  Because then I've crossed the line between respecting the motorcycle and taking it for granted.  And when you begin taking things for granted in a relatively high-risk sport like motorcycling, accidents happen.

 

Now, what does motorcycling have to do with management consulting?  One of the key concepts I teach my motorcycle students is to "look where you want to go."  The notion is that your body will tend to point the motorcycle in the direction you are looking.  That means if you see a big pot hole in the road, for example, don't stare at the pot hole.  If you do, chances are you'll run right into it.  Instead, look at the path of travel you want to follow.  Look around the hole, and you'll probably avoid it.

 

But it is easy to be overwhelmed by events.  Sometimes you can't help staring right at that car that just entered your right-of-way.  This is called "target fixation," and usually the consequences are serious.  Being unable to take your eyes off the big problem right in front of you often guarantees that you are going to slam right into that problem.

 

There's a parallel notion here for managing a business.  Executives and leaders need to "look where they want to go," especially when they are surrounded by obstacles, risks, and the "road hazards" of running a business.  It is the unique ability of the leader to point the organization's eyes in the direction of safety and future success.  This often comes by having a strategy, or a plan of action.  Strategy is what helps organizations "look where they want to go."

 

Send me your thoughts and comments about this.  I'll select the insightful and provocative ideas for further discussion on this blog. 

 

In meantime, remember to look where you want to go!