Waymaking -- The Leadership we need NOW

What mode of leadership is most needed now?

Leading NOW is different. This current crisis has dramatically changed our world. Yet many leaders are not leading differently. Instead, they are doing what they have always done and magically hoping for a different result. 

Join me to explore three activities I see leaders engaging in now. I wonder if you see these same three activities occurring around you. 

As we start this exploration, let me point out that not all of these are “leadership activities”. By that, I mean that, simply because a leader engages in an activity, it does not necessarily elevate that activity to the level of qualifying as a leadership activity. 

If a leader stoops to gossip, that doesn’t elevate gossip to the level of leadership. 

No, it means a leader stepped out of leading and stooped to gossiping. 

It’s not becoming of a leader and it costs leaders credibility and clout with those they are called to lead. Here's an activity I see some leaders, even world leaders, engaging in that doesn't measure up to the label of leader...

Excuse-Making

Perhaps you've witnessed this in your country. We've certainly witnessed it in ours.

If you’re honest about it, perhaps you’ve even engaged in excuse-making at one time or another. I know I have — not proud to admit it, but it’s the truth. 

Here's my point,

When a leader is busy making excuses — guess what they are not doing?

They are not leading. 

It’s tempting to make an excuse, assign the blame, pass the buck, or throw someone under the bus — especially when you were caught off guard or taken by surprise. 

Excuse-making may be what you resort to when you're been called out for something you did or failed to do that others thought you ‘should have done’. 

When you feel the heat of the spotlight or believe you are backed into a corner, your urges to fight or flee kick in. When that happens, you might give in and make an excuse because your pride is wounded or your reputation is at stake. 

Excuse-making IS not becoming a leader. 

Here's the plaque that graced the desk of former US President Harry S. Truman, "The buck stops here.”

That’s leadership. Excuse-making isn’t. 

Where IS your focus when you engage in excuse-making? 

 It’s usually in the past. It’s certainly not in the future and making a way forward. 

Looking at past events or even past predecessors who held the office you now hold and blaming them (those events or people) for your current crisis. 

I don’t about you, but I can't name a leader I respect who actively engages in excuse-making. 

Enough said about this mode of operating. Or is it? 

Maybe there’s one more thing that needs to be said. 

If you engaging in excuse-making STOP IT. NOW! 

No more excuses. Stop passing the buck. Own it! And get on with it. 

There’s a second mode I see I see leaders operating in. This mode is highly valuable and actually is one that ALL leaders must engage in at some point and to some degree.

SenseMaking

Right now, there's a whole lot of sensemaking going on. And, there's a whole lot to try to make sense of. 

Sensemaking is the ability (or at least the attempt) to find or make meaning in situations that are uncertain, complex, or ambiguous so you know what decisions to make and what actions to take. 

Sensemaking usually happens in the now (the present) as you are trying to make sense out of something that has happened in the past or is happening now, so you make wise decisions about what to do next -- the future. 

What many find particularly challenging about our current crisis is how fluid these situations are, how rapidly they change, as well as how complex and interrelated our situations and circumstances are. 

All of that leads to the sense-maker’s challenge:

Did the sense-making you did this morning still make sense this afternoon?

Or has the situation changed so much that you need to update your sense-making? You see the dilemma, right? 

The one thing that is certain about our current situation is that we’ll all be doing a lot of sensemaking for the foreseeable future. 

Sensemaking is certainly a leadership responsibility and is immensely valuable. However,

Sensemaking by itself does not necessarily require, or result in action. 

There are times sensemaking may leave you stuck, especially, if you happen to believe that you need all of the available information before you act. And that’s why leaders don’t or can’t stop with sensemaking. 

Let's turn our attention to the other mode of making—it's what I call waymaking. 

WayMaking

Waymaking is defined as forging a way, means, or solution despite difficulty, impossibility, or uncertainty. 

Waymaking is an activity that bridges the present to the future and incorporates what you’ve learned through the sensemaking process to inform your waymaking journey and strategy.

Waymaking is moving forward — it IS NOT going backward.

It is putting legs to and taking action on your sensemaking. 

Being regarded as a Way-Maker may or may not build your resume — it will certainly enhance your eulogy — and build your legacy. Way-Makers cast a long shadow and inspire many others to follow the trails they blaze. 

Let’s explore some of the qualities and characteristics of Way-Makers. 

Waymaking invokes the pioneer spirit -- it is venturing into the uncertain and the unknown. In times like this season, we are in, it can feel as though "everything has changed". It's imperative to realize that's simply not true. 

While many things have changed, there is much that hasn't changed.

And that's the best place to start -- by focusing on what's unchanged and unchanging for you personally and for your organization. 

Consider questions like these:

• What are the foundations from your past that you can and want to build on for your future? 
• What are the values you hold near and dear? 
• What is your True North? 

Waymaking is NOT a solo sport. DO NOT TRY this alone. 

You will get lost. There is a reason expeditions are conducted as team endeavors.

One of my favorite African proverbs may actually be more relevant now than BC (before Coronavirus) — If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.

Waymaking is NOT a sprint, it's a marathon.

NOW is the time to activate the hearts, minds, and imaginations of your people. ALL of your people. If, and when, you engage the hearts, minds, and imagination of your people THEY will BE engaged. They will join you on this waymaking journey.

Where do you begin this process? 

Begin by engaging in conversations — meaningful and substantive conversations. Conversations that engage the hearts and minds in environments that are SAFE and make it safe for everyone to share.

Explore questions like these with your people:

• What are the good things you discovered during quarantine that YOU want to carry forward and continue? 
• What did you LEARN about YOU? 
• What did you LEARN about us? 
• What did WE do that we thought couldn't be done?

How do we want to be better or different going forward?

Waymaking requires a willingness to explore and experiment — to learn and adjust. To be agile.

You don’t have to figure it all out before you get going. You can’t, you won’t. Be open with your people about your experiments and the changes you’re exploring.

Waymaking IS the leadership mode we need right now. 

Waymaking involves sensemaking. It takes action on you discovered and uncovered during sensemaking.

Waymakers are those who will take up the torch, pick up the pieces, and FORGE a way forward. A better way. A more human and humane way. A way that engages the hearts, minds, and imaginations of your people.

IF these thoughts about Sensemaking and Waymaking resonate with you and you’re wondering how to make sense of it and what action to take to start or continue your Waymaking journey, then I invite you to join me for a 1:1 Waymaking Coaching Encounter.

It's a deep dive conversation to help you do both some Sensemaking and Waymaking. The best part is, there’s no monetary investment required for this conversation. It's my investment in you and your future.

It is a commitment of time -- 90-minutes where we give each other our undivided attention. If this strikes you as YOUR BEST next step...contact me NOW. Text or call me at +1-404-713-0713 or email me [email protected].

About Kevin: I work as a trusted advisor to purpose-driven and people-focused leaders and business owners. Leaders who believe that business thrives when and where people flourish. I partner with these leaders to create environments and host events that allow and encourage people to form deep connections, engage in rich conversations, and develop people-first cultures. Together these lead to human flourishing.