Develop a Leader’s Perspective: Master the Ripple Effect
One of the biggest challenges of leadership is lack of imagination.
A leader’s perspective includes imagination. All the important things you do begin with imagination.
Everything in the world began with imagination. The wheel began in imagination. So did the pencil and the cell phone.
I ask troubled leaders, “Imagine if things were going perfectly. What would people be doing?” Imagination comes before action. You can’t do it if you can’t imagine it.
Mastering the ripple effect is an exercise of imagination.
Develop a leader’s perspective: master the ripple effect.
Leaders know their emotions spread through teams. Your happiness increases everyone’s happiness. Your worry is multiplied in others.
Understanding the ripple effect requires imagination.
Imagination is thinking bigger than yourself – bigger than what if. Leaders use imagination to think, “What could be?” – thinking about what could be for people.
Leaders think beyond themselves. It’s normal to focus on yourself; it’s leadership to imagine your impact on others. Go beyond what people are doing to you. Imagine how you impact others.
Leaders think about the quality-of-life others experience. How are work pressures impacting the team? What can be done to make hard work enjoyable?
Imagination leads to action when you lead. Imagination is a beginning, not an end. How will you bring imagination into reality today?
Action item:
Show up with the passion for positive impact. Reflect on the impact of words, tone, body language, and actions.
- Imagine the team you aspire to have. What will you do today to create it?
- Imagine the impact on others you aspire to have. What will you do today to enhance it?
- Imagine the leader you would follow. Work to become it.
Reflection:
- What role does imagination play in a leader’s perspective?
- What perspectives on people have shaped your actions? On leadership?
- How do you see the ripple effect every day?
Still curious:
The Way You See Yourself is the Way You See the World
An Essential – But Neglected – Skill that Fuels Success
Some people can’t see beyond the current situation.
“I think there is a world market for maybe five computers.”
–Thomas Watson, chairman of IBM, 1943.
“The horse is here to say, but the automobile is a novelty—a fad.”
–Unnamed banker, 1908
Great illustrations, Paul. Thank you for adding them.
Great article and questions! I am working doing just this to help improve morale and relationships between divisions in our department. Thank you.
Thank you, Kelly. And I think your language is perfect. We learn to look beyond ourselves. I suppose it’s more natural for some than others. But I need reminders.
“Imagination” such an open way to see everyone’s vision! Martin Luther King “I had a dream”! Future imagination for so many to feel and see! John F Kennedy “Ask not whst you country can do for , ask what you can do for the country”! Such imaginative Leaders giving the incentive for others to reach out!
I like the “think outside the box”, let you mind wander and see a the views!
We are only limited by ourselves!
So true, Tim. We limit ourselves when life is exclusively lived in the real world.
Leaders must not only encourage others to use their imagination, but to accept the ideas that come out of those imagining — and give credit. Leaders aren’t the only ones with imaginations, nor to they have infinite imaginations.
That’s a great idea, Scott. Thanks for jumping in today.