After a full day with my nose buried deep in the details, I discovered the page numbers I'd carefully matched up had been changed again by HR, and all my work ended up having been a waste of my time.

Although I was hugely frustrated at the time, I later had a big laugh at the irony of me leading a workshop called 'Understanding the Big Picture', while I was focusing on the minute details. I spent the rest of my prep time choosing to put my focus where it should have been in the first place - on the larger concepts I would be explaining to the leaders.

So, how well do you manage to stay focussed on 'the bigger picture' of your purpose and mission as a leader in your organisation?

Your main job as a leader is to be a guiding light to others. Ideally, you inspire and empower people with your 'voice of leadership', transforming their lack of clarity and confidence into hopefulness and resolve in moving forward.

As a leader, do you ever stop to think about how many balls you need to juggle at once? It’s not easy to stay focussed on your organisation's vision and mission while you’re trying to manage everything else as well.

Just take a moment to think about all the areas of your business that you need to keep your eye on.  You’ve got about ten or more priorities to handle:

1. Vision/ Mission/ Strategy
2. Marketing/Sales
3. Finances
4. Administration
5. Professional Development
6. Competition
7. Technology
8. Research
9. The Economy
10. Compliance

So, how are you managing to handle all of these areas? Chances are, if you're like most leaders, you do drop a few balls from time to time. Often, it’s impossible to keep your eye on all the important things at once.

When you're overwhelmed with all you have to juggle, I recommend focusing on 'the bigger picture'; that is...your message, mission, and vision.  The primary reason you do what you do in the first place...the primary service you offer the world.

When you're focused on the bigger picture, the small stuff doesn't seem so overwhelming. Yes, the details are important, but it does no good to focus on the details if it means you lose sight of the bigger picture. As a leader, holding on to the larger vision and direction is one of your main responsibilities.

Thankfully, I managed to hold onto the 'bigger picture' during the leadership workshop I led and it was successful and well-received. I also learned some important lessons as well:

Being a leader means holding the vision for your organisation and reminding your team of that vision to keep them moving together in the right direction.

Being a leader means embracing the wider perspective, while your team navigates the narrow paths dealing with the details.

Being a leader means juggling various 'balls' or responsibilities at the same time and being a source of inspiration to your team.

Here's to you expressing your 'voice of leadership' as you keep your eye firmly focussed on the bigger picture, guiding your organisation along the road to success.

Article by Sally Mabelle

The next ‘Voice of Leadership’: Giving Confident, Dynamic and Engaging Presentations course is scheduled in Auckland for the 4th August. See details HERE.

Sally Mabelle, M.Ed., B.A.(hons) is an international speaker and author, and a dual citizen of the U.S.A and New Zealand. Sally is the President of the National Speakers Association of New Zealand (Auckland Chapter) and a mentor for the YWCA's Future Leaders program. To see her in action, click HERE.

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