Skate to where the puck is going

It may be uncomfortable, but the wise Executive accepts that the world is an uncertain place that can’t be controlled nor predicted.  However, like the ocean, it can be navigated, but you’ll need a sea-worthy ship and crew, a reliable map of the route and some knowledge of the different trade winds you’ll need to harness to reach your destination. 

Turbulence in modern business comes from:

1. Technological Change: advances in communication technology are spreading knowledge further and faster, contributing to the rise of more rivals
2. Information Asymmetry: business rarely know in advance if customers will embrace new products or how quickly rivals can come out with improved versions 
3. Internal Capabilities:  which is the biggest complaint of many Executives — teams lack the right skills to adapt to new courses of action.

The wise Executive navigates these treacherous waters by focusing on the basics.  Crews are told to keep the North Star (i.e. customer needs) in sight at all times, providing a consistent guide to the right direction for all action.  This process of ‘search and discover’ helps develop ‘mastery and autonomy’ as people know ‘why’ they are doing things, rather than just doing ‘what’ they are told — making them more responsive in times of change.

In turbulent environments — navigating seas or modern business landscapes — success comes not from trying to control the uncontrollable but being able to anticipate and respond to the unseeable better.  As ice hockey great Wayne Gretzky once said — success comes from “skating to where the puck is going to be; not where it has been.”

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This blog is part of a series introducing Power Maps* an innovative low-tech / hi-impact technique enabling organisations to align around a common purpose, anticipate what’s coming next and develop superior plans to outcompete rivals. If you’d like to learn more visit narrativeinsights.com or email us to be notified of our free monthly webinars where we explain how Power Maps can help your organisation get ahead of the curve in the digital age.
* Based on Wardley Maps, released under creative commons 3.0 license