Yesterday on my daily run with my golden-doodle, I ended up walking with a guy named Gary. We have passed each other on the trail for two years and never really spoken. Sometimes I realize it is time to walk and listen, and this was one of those moments.
As Gary told me about his journey across the 2000+ mile Appalachian Trail in 2008, I asked him this question (remember – great conversations start with a question):
“What is the trick to successfully completing the Appalachian Trail?”
Without much thought he answered,
“You just have to focus on the next town and not think about how far away Maine is.”
I thought of my EOS® (Entrepreneurial Operating System™) clients and how creating a vision for a company is critical, but establishing smaller goals and the disciplined execution of those goals is most critical.
Successful leaders learn to help their teams understand and stay focused on the next town. People-centered leaders invite their people into the process vs just sharing the goals.
Sometimes you just have to slow down and talk to the Gary’s you run into – they have a lot to share.
Listen . . . Lead. Repeat often.
