Leaders, Maps, and Compasses

Since today is "Marooned Without a Compass Day," it's an appropriately-themed day to think about leadership.

But first, a little about today's significance. According to DaysoftheYear.com, "Marooned Without a Compass Day invites people to imagine the uncertainty of being lost without any clear direction. It sparks thoughts about the importance of being prepared and knowing where you're headed. What makes this day particularly interesting is its urge to consider navigation in a broader sense. It's not just about physical maps but also the tools and systems we rely on in everyday life. It pinpoints the importance of resourcefulness and adaptability. And by considering what you'd do without a compass, you might uncover new ways to approach challenges."

Recently, I read a related Kellogg article with commentary about maps, compasses, and leadership. The article made me wonder about how leaders use both in their strategic planning and interactions with employees.

The article began, "In a metaphorical sense, business leaders are familiar with two navigational tools. The map is the business plan, a set of carefully drafted goals to guide future decision-making. The compass is the leader's vision and values, providing direction when the unexpected occurs. Both are essential tools for guiding a company through good times and bad."

According to Julio M. Ottino, professor of management and organizations at Kellogg, many leaders fail to recognize when a map or a compass is more critical, or when they're leaning too hard on one or the other. He explained, "The map and the compass are not rivals. Maps help organizations optimize within known terrain; compasses help leaders orient themselves when the terrain itself changes."

Ottino elaborated, "For future leaders, business schools are often the best place to build map-building skills. But leaders trained only to optimize within existing frameworks may excel in stable environments yet struggle when the landscape itself changes. This does not mean that business leaders need to become philosophers or landscape painters. But finding and developing your compass may involve immersion in other disciplines. Exposure to the modes of thinking in other disciplines, such as science, engineering, art, literature, and design, helps develop the intellectual flexibility required to navigate uncertainty."

So, my question to all leaders, do you know when to use a map AND a compass?

SHARE THIS: The compass of a visionary leader can help their company navigate choppy waters. By trusting their instincts instead of clinging to what has worked in the past, they can help their companies turn challenges into opportunities. Think Jobs and the iPhone. ~Julio M. Ottino/KelloggInsights #Leadership #DebbieLaskeysBlog

Image Credit: Tatiana Svetiukha via Vecteezy.

Read the inspiration for this post:

"When the Fog Rolls In, Do Leaders Need a Map or a Compass?" based on insights from Julio M. Ottino:

https://insight.kellogg.northwestern.edu/article/compass-and-map-leadership

Read: How do you find the North Star from NASA:

https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/what-is-the-north-star-and-how-do-you-find-it/