My view is that leadership thinking can be based on a simple formula of three imperatives:
Escape + Search = Think
Escape + Search = Think
Escape + Search = Think
DFQ #04:
Post your comment on how you think
ESCAPE + SEARCH = THINK might help
you to become a much better leader.
I frequently benefit from Escape+Search+Think because in my role, I do not need to work within a specific script or within a set pattern. I am surrounded by knowledge experts and I usually have less information than others in our team, when it comes to a specific issue. Although I have strong, intuitive responses to most concepts that I am passionate about, I try to engage E+S+T to help take into account all of the possibilities and then expand upon them.
I think in my role I am too ready to accept situations for what they are, and then get frustrated when they reoccur.
With ESCAPE + SEARCH = THINK it allows me to take a deep breath and allow myself to think that not everything has to be solved NOW.
The abiolity to walk away and come back is extremely powerful and useful and it always surprioses me with the outcome.
My role requires me to thin-slice my way through a constant, relentless stream of interractions all day. It never stops and likewise I usually don’t have the time to pause and consider every variable when making decisions. I’m used to having an answer and need to decide without delay or face operational disruptions. However every so often something comes across my desk that I find confounding, puzzling and it stops me in my tracks. I realise that I’ve stumbled across an issue that is deserving of creative decision making. The CVS to BVS model is a very good one for me to use in those instances. It forces me to turn off the experience+intuition switch and move into a more creative ‘what if’ mode. It’s something I have to force myself to stop and do. CVS to BVS is a great ‘brain app” for me.
We often get caught up in ascribing motives to people that explains their behaviour and take we action based on our internal dialogue rather than a real understanding of the issues. Escape and search is a simple idea but forces you to break out of your thinking track and look at situations in a different way. It’s not until you,re in search mode that you can be open to moving from cvs to bvs.
As learned with repetition, constant use of this will have you constantly searching, concentrating, thinking, asking questions. This becomes a natural part of your day with no conscious effort that you are continually applying this and searching for a bvs and improving your life.
Steve Jobs was famous for his long walks and he came up with some revolutionary ideas on them. Escaping the current view of the situation for me means to shift the focus from constraints to ok the, now what else is possible view. Search is to find either new thinkers or resources or to find new options to try and to take physical time to ponder, consider and test new views to achieve a quantum leap into a new universe.
It forces you to get out of the box and THINK, searching for alternatives x10.
cvs2bvs
When involved in especially challenging situations where the resolution is difficult to reach, I find it is critical to escape (take a break, walk around the block, etc) to clear my mind. Many times, the resolution “magically” appears when you come back to the issue.
You will always find a better way of doing something using this formula and lead others by teaching them the better ways of doing things.
Escaping the CVS allows you to search for a BVS. Being able to search for and find a BVS makes you a better thinker = better leader.