Begin with An End in Mind

This title is a variation of one of the steps established by the great personal growth and leadership author Stephen Covey. I am a planner by nature. No one taught me how to plan, it's just a characteristic which has helped to yield every desired result I have identified for myself.? I have always thought and dreamed through the lens of a simple process. The steps in my personal planning process are:

1) Determining your desired outcome - identify the destination?

2) Identify pathways to achieve that result - set the course with appropriate waypoints

3) Look at the pathways of others who have achieved the desired result (for both inspiration and practical guidance) - in all but very few instances you are not treading down an unbeaten pathway. It might be less traveled, but it's rare that you are the first.

4) DO THE HARD WORK during each stage to get you there - this is the part that is critical for the flywheel of success to be initiated.

The last step deserves some amplification. For instance, I spend a fair amount of time coaching newcomers into the cybersecurity industry. Nearly anyone can see some of the more clear benefits of being in one of the hottest job verticals ever - cybersecurity is driven by the potential to participate in solving big problems and there’s pretty decent job safety in a field that is constantly evolving and known not to have enough newcomers in the pipeline. With that said, the work to break into the industry is really hard; no, did you hear me, REALLY HARD! Anything worth having will not be given to you easily. Cybersecurity is not the only industry or desired job field where this idea of hard work plays a critical role in achieving success.

Setting a course is a normal aspect of sailing.? You would never set upon the open sea without setting a course for a destination. This analogy rings true for your professional life as well. Detractors might say, “most plans never work out exactly as planned” and this is true, but with a set destination you can always get yourself back on the right azimuth and headed in the correct direction. These analogies are not frivolous and should not be taken lightly. If there is one characteristic I’ve seen consistently missing, it's the lack of a desired outcome or having an identified course and destination. Sometimes folks need help with their personal strategy. This is where the presence of leadership or executive coaches can help you discover your own pathways and help you build a plan to do it.??

I have been on a leadership journey since my days in JROTC in High School. At this stage in my career I have come to understand this journey to be filled with opportunities to learn and grow.? It led me to the shores of Annapolis, where I graduated from the United States Naval Academy; it took me through my most formative period of public service as an officer in the United States Marine Corps and carried me through a 22-year career as a Special Agent in the Federal Bureau of Investigation. When I combine the lessons of those experiences with my time spent as an executive in the private sector it gives me a unique perspective to help others. I’ve led; I’ve succeeded; I’ve failed; I’ve helped others achieve tremendous success and I’ve seen what doesn’t work in the challenging work of leading and building teams.

After some consideration I'm finally choosing to formally coach others. I am choosing to coach because it has value and can help others to be successful. In the coming weeks I will begin both 1:1 coaching and building a team of equals to share in this immense responsibility to provide this service to those looking to take their professional experience to the next level. I’m having good and deep conversations with like minded leaders who believe in this concept and are willing to spend time helping people achieve their desired leadership outcomes.?

Leadership can be taught and advice can be given. The real question is whether those seeking the support are ready to do the work necessary to achieve their desired outcomes.? If you are ready or you know someone who might be, reach out and let's have a discussion. The Leadership Student Consulting Group is ready to engage. Let’s get after it!

MK Palmore is a private sector industry executive, leadership coach and veteran of The United States Marine Corps. Listen to the leadership journey stories of leaders across business enterprise on The Leadership Student Podcast.