You as a leader cannot be in multiple places at once!
So what should you do?
Let’s discuss and apply it.
Texarkana and Four Corners are two spots I know of where it’s possible to be in multiple places at once.
Straddling static borders create a rare opportunity to “be in multiple places at once.”
So fun on road trips, makes for great pics.
However in VUCA, where you are leading teams and influencing stakeholders, there are no static borders.
VUCA constantly flows and cascades.
So how do you lead and influence your organization effectively, especially when they are spread across the map, even the Globe?
Yes, there are virtual meetings and other technologies that give a kind of ability to “be in multiple places at once.”
And yes, you can (and should) visit with your people wherever they may be.
Just remember:
That’s not nearly enough to be effective.
Constantly trying to be everywhere at once, virtually or physically, will hamper the flow of what your teams are trying to accomplish in order to advance vision and mission.
If you’re leading your team that way, you might consider trying this instead (I can show you how, it’s simple, not easy):
Emphasize two foundational cornerstones of high performing, effective teams/organizations of any size!
Specifically: Create a culture of mutual trust and clear intent.
Mutual trust and clear intent unlock the creative power of people on teams/organizations (of any size), in spite of seemingly insurmountable challenges.
To be effective, it’s imperative that you promote mutual trust within your team, up, down, and laterally.
How?
Start with ensuring that you know your people and are committed to their well-being and growth (that’s non-negotiable).
When you trust your people, and they reciprocate, you can always “be there without being there.”
Now add clear intent:
You have to ensure that your intent is crystal clear and understood by everyone on the team, at every level, regardless or role or rank!
When your intent is clearly understood by everyone, most missions and tasks will become evident to them, empowering them to decide and act fast.
People will make faster decisions and execute their tasks; without you physically or virtually there, to monitor or attempt to make every decision centrally.
Let your competitors do that.
Let them be slow and vulnerable by trying to be everywhere at once, not trusting their people, or ensuring intent isn’t widely understood.
You stay focused on reinforcing mutual trust and clear intent.
You will gain more time and can shift focus on activities that drive revenue versus creating unnecessary overhead; which is exactly what trying to be everywhere at once does.
The culture you design, build, and maintain, characterized by mutual trust and clear understanding of intent, will be set up to continuously thrive in VUCA.
This is a better way to “be in multiple places at once.”
Try it!