The 3R's of Leadership

In a world of accelerating change, leaders need to consistently pause, reflect, and recalibrate their strategies. Embracing the art of rethinking, reinventing, and renewing is essential for sustained success. This ongoing process ensures that leaders and their organizations remain adaptable, resilient, and effective in any environment.

Rethink

Rethinking is an art that requires reconsidering everything for relevance and effectiveness. Whether you're operating a restaurant, a university, or managing a team, the question isn't just what you do, but how you adapt to the changing environment. For instance, does a new university need a physical campus when virtual learning and local mini-campuses could suffice?

Think of your business as a tabula rasa, a blank slate. What venture would you embark on if you were starting afresh? This is particularly pertinent as the current landscape has reset the playing field, making this question more relevant than ever. But beware of easy solutions, often presented as conjectures rather than empirical guidance. Leaders must think more critically and exert greater mental effort than before, especially when leading out of crisis.

Reinvent

Reinvention is the action phase. It's about turning thoughts and conclusions into tangible results through implementation. Effective execution boils down to having the right people doing the right things at the right time. Cut through bureaucratic inefficiencies and focus on concrete results over mere appearances. Planning should be agile and focused on accomplishment, not just activity.

Renew

Renewal is a way for you to stay motivated, focused, and effective. Many leaders face burnout from the relentless demands of their work. Regular physical and intellectual renewal is essential, whether it's at the end of each day or during weekends. Engage in activities that recharge you, like reading for pleasure, physical activities, or spending time with loved ones. Renewal is not a one-time event but a continuous process.

The 3Rs - Rethink, Reinvent, Renew - are tools in a leader's arsenal to seize and exploit new opportunities and keep their organizations—and themselves—fresh and relevant. Make time to look at your leadership objectives through these lenses.