Christmas is about anticipation. Do you remember that giddy feeling of anticipation as you waited for Christmas morning? Your heart pumps, your skin tingles – you feel almost like you could leap through time… Kids tend to bubble over with excitement and anticipation as Christmas day gets closer.
Leadership, like Christmas, is also about anticipation. In today’s world being able to anticipate that which is likely to occur in the next few months and the next few years is important to give you an edge over those that simply cruise along with the current trends.
A report on executive leadership from public relations firm MWW Group reveals that an overwhelming number of senior executives (86 percent) say that being nimble and anticipatory, along with being innovative and possessing strong character, are the most important qualities for leaders in 2025.
"Gone are the days where people are seeking a leader who simply embodies great salesmanship and builds consensus among followers," said Michael W. Kempner, president and CEO of MWW Group. "In today's global world - and due to the perfect storm of economic crisis, unprecedented competition and limited access to capital that we've all experienced in recent years - people are longing for leaders who can anticipate, rather than react."
Why then is anticipation a double edged sword?
Anticipation can be a double edged sword. A double edged sword is awesome, but you have to be more careful with it, because, since it cuts two ways, it can cut you too. Anticipation means expecting, being aware of something in advance, to regard it as possible. The ability to anticipate is one of the key ingredients of efficient speed, visionary leadership, and effective change management.
Yet, unrealistically high expectations can lead to disappointment, sadness, inefficiency, and even anger. If you lock into a made up expectation not based on reasonable possibilities and vigilance, you can experience emotional ups and downs similar to a gambler at the racetrack, and your car can end up in a wreck.
How do you master the art of anticipation and evade it’s pitfalls?
A vigilant attitude is the most important trait of strategic leaders who are good at anticipating and exploiting change. As a leader you need to keep your “eyes out” for ways to shake up the organizations to generate new insights and innovations.
Leaders that master the art of anticipation:
- Look for game changing information outside their business
- Search beyond the boundaries of current, prevailing views
- Recognize potential changes before the competition does
- Recognize incipient trends by attending to weak signals
- Entertain multiple hypotheses about causes of change
- Encourage people with anticipatory skills in their company to say what they really think
- Organize “what if sessions” to tap wisdom inside their company
- Build wide networks inside and outside the organization
- Remain vigilant and curious about signals from many spheres
Anticipation comes from the perspective of doing more than. You have to leave your comfort zone and look at things from a vastly different perspective if you want to gain advantage.
Remember. . .
Look out with different eyes, envision the future in new ways to create value. Then, dare to use the double edge sword of anticipation!
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Photos by: skippyjon and Tostito Verde