April Fool or Strategist: How to Swim Faster in Mud

(Posted on behalf of Michele Jackman)

Everyone wants to be a leader, but observe how leaders are increasing questioned, their professionalism challenged, and reputation ruined! Take one Olympic swimmer and place them in mud. This obsession with the belief the LEADER IS ABLE TO LEAD causes most project nightmares. It is the MUD of bureaucratic thinking that stops or drowns them.

Up front, everything looks do-able, exciting, and everyone seems ready. Leaders are even certified to Lead! And then, things just start falling apart as people cite lack of direction, unclear commitments, overload, conflict, poor prioritization for stalls in the plan. Dilute the muddled thinking with these steps from the beginning as leader or member and keep doing it! (more…)