The Three Types of Thinking Every Leader Needs

The vast majority of leaders today don’t spend enough time thinking. You should have dedicated thinking time built into your schedule. Few leaders do. There is always pressure to be doing something and dedicated thinking time doesn’t feel like it’s actually accomplishing anything. As S. I. Parker said, “Thought is important?because?it is thought that generally precedes action.”?

It’s important to remember activity doesn’t necessarily equal accomplishment. Focused activity can help you accomplish great things, while activity alone is simply busy work. If your wheels are spinning but you aren’t moving forward, you are stuck. Leaders must be thoughtful in order to maximize the opportunities of today by remembering the lessons of the past and considering the possibilities in the future. When we are leading others, we carry the responsibility of making sure we are going in the right direction.

Where you do your intentional thinking is an important consideration. Get outside if possible. Walk in the woods, a park, go for a jog, or sit in your quiet space. Try to eliminate distractions as much as possible. Turn off your phone, or better yet, leave it elsewhere. Make sure you have a way to capture your thoughts. If you spend time thinking, you want it to be productive. Be sure you have a way to capture the ideas and thoughts you generate.

REFLECTIVE THINKING

?Reflective thinking is all about considering the lessons from the past. Look back and consider what you did or didn’t do, why you did or didn’t do it, and what you could have and should have done differently. It’s not a bad idea to spend a few minutes in reflective thought at the end of every day, but also make sure you are taking some time to reflect on longer spans of time as well.

I like to spend time in reflective thinking about once every three months. A year feels too long – too much time has passed. But, every quarter is enough time to have internalized the lessons and soon enough to make sure the next three months are on course. As the seasons change around me, so do the seasons of life.

Look back at your calendar – did you invest your time well? Look back at your checkbook – did you steward your money well? Look back at your life – did you lead yourself well? Look back at your relationships – did you lead others well?

?OPPORTUNITY THINKING

?What thoughts are you intentionally thinking about today? Are you reflecting on the realities and opportunities of today? What’s interesting about our mind is that, much like a computer, you get out what you put into it. In other words, if you are putting good thoughts about opportunities in today, you will get good thoughts and ideas back out.

James Allen said, “Our mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed-seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.”?

You will encounter opportunities where it’s best to say “no.” But, if you aren’t stopping to think about them carefully, you risk saying “yes” to the wrong opportunities.

One thing I coach my clients to do is take a blank sheet of paper and write down any and all of their current opportunities. If it’s an opportunity that will help them reach their personal definition of success, I ask them to put a circle around it. If it’s not, I tell them to cross it out. It doesn’t mean that’s a bad thing to do – it might be a hobby, something fun with family, or volunteering at church. It does mean it’s not an opportunity that will move them in the right direction. If they say “yes” to it, they must understand it will take time and energy away from the things that will move them in the right direction. In other words, saying “yes” to the “no” things will slow you down and hold you back.

?STRATEGIC THINKING

Strategic thinking is where you make sure you are considering the vision of your preferred future and making sure you are on course. When it comes to course corrections, the sooner you do it, the better.

This is where you step back and consider the big picture, not just the day-to-day routines. You may not be where you want to be, but you are exactly where you are supposed to be based on the choices you have made leading up to this very moment.

And what's more - your TEAM is exactly where they are supposed to be based on where you have led them. If you are finding yourself frustrated in your leadership role, it's time to do some thinking about: 1) What changes do I need to make as a leader? 2) What resources can I provide to my team to help THEM become more engaged, take more responsibility, and become a high impact team? 3) When do I want to implement these changes?

If you find most "leadership" materials are confusing, vague, or theoretical and need help thinking through your leadership strategy, I'm happy to guide you. Let's have a conversation about how I can help you develop the team you want to lead and become the leader they want to follow. Call today: 334-332-3526 or email: [email protected]