The opportunity and ability to step into a tipping point makes us feel responsible, powerful, and apprehensive.
Every decision both responds to and creates a tipping point.
New questions for leadership tipping points:
Ease:
The pursuit of ease makes you matter less.
Ease in small doses expands capacity, but in large doses destroys us.
- How might this decision challenge you in new ways?
- How might new challenges become personal growth points?
Please know that I’m not encouraging workaholism. However, making a difference requires getting your hands dirty.
Direction:
Every decision contributes to trajectory.
The consequence of decisions is real direction, not intended direction. You’re always heading somewhere.
- How does this decision reflect a “running toward” attitude, rather than running away?
- What are you running toward?
Long-term or short-term:
The appeal of short-term perspectives is immediate gratification, sometimes at the expense of long-term value.
Crisis requires short-term perspective. Put the fire out! But constant “crisis mode” sacrifices the future on the altar of urgency.
- How does making this decision reflect a long-term perspective?
- How does making this decision reflect a short-term perspective?
Relationships:
Life is relationships, nothing more, nothing less.
- What new relationships might result from making this decision?
- How does this decision impact current relationships?
- How might new relationships expand capacity and/or capability?
Service:
Tipping points include opportunities to both receive and give value.
- What new opportunities for service are available?
- How might your strengths find new expressions?
5 general questions:
- How does making this decision reflect a commitment to something greater?
- How are you expressing your best self?
- How are you expressing the self you hope to become?
- How much of this decision is motivated by fear?
- How much of this decision is motivated by dissatisfaction?
What questions might leaders ask when facing tipping points?
