Written by Santarvis Brown, Leadership Engineer
Dr. Santarvis Brown has spent 15+ years serving as a leader, innovator, and changemaker in education, showcasing in-depth insight as an administrator, educator, and program director.
Few elements of leadership are as important as determining the destination. Where will your team be in a week? How about a month or a year? Good leaders have progress mapped out in their minds. They keep the big picture in mind and chart the course for their team and organization.
Let’s jump back into “Oh, the Places You’ll Go!” This is the third article in our “Seuss-Says on Leadership” series, and we’ll be looking at how the most effective business leaders guide their teams and organizations to success. We’ll cover the following stanzas in today’s article:
You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care.
About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet,
you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.
And you may not find any
you'll want to go down.
In that case, of course,
you'll head straight out of town.
Is the journey worth it?
“You'll look up and down streets. Look 'em over with care. About some you will say, "I don't choose to go there."
As a business leader, it's essential to explore all available avenues before making strategic decisions. Not all journeys are worth the time it takes to plan and complete them. Not every path will be the right one for your organization. Good leaders understand how to parse different possibilities at their disposal and determine the best course of action for their teams and organizations. Conducting thorough research, analyzing market trends, and evaluating potential risks are all part of this process.
Sometimes you’ll run across an opportunity that seems promising at first but ultimately doesn’t align with your long-term goals or values. By carefully considering your options and confidently rejecting those that don't fit, you demonstrate decisive leadership. You don’t have to follow a street just because it exists, in other words. If you don’t like what you see, don’t be afraid to move on.
Are there pitfalls to avoid?
“With your head full of brains and your shoes full of feet, you're too smart to go down any not-so-good street.”
Good leaders leverage their experience, knowledge, and intuition when evaluating destinations and routing progress. Understanding where pitfalls exist allows you to steer clear of unwise choices that could lead to setbacks. Trusting your judgment and the collective wisdom of your team ensures that you avoid unproductive alleyways and remain on the path to success.
What happens if there is no good road to take?
“And you may not find any you'll want to go down. In that case, of course, you'll head straight out of town.”
Part of charting the course is understanding when to cut your losses and go. There will be times when none of the available options are good. Don't be afraid to think outside the box in this situation! Pioneering new paths, even if they lead into uncharted territory, can be the key to discovering unique opportunities and achieving remarkable success.
As a leader, it's your job to inspire your team to embrace creativity and remain resilient in the face of uncertainty. Pick your battles and avoid unnecessary travels or challenges. When you guide your team effectively, the destination will be worth the time and effort.
Santarvis Brown, Leadership Engineer
Dr. Santarvis Brown has spent 15+ years serving as a leader, innovator, and changemaker in education, showcasing in-depth insight as an administrator, educator, and program director. A noted speaker, researcher, and full professor, he has lent his speaking talent to many community and educational forums, serving as a keynote speaker. He has also penned several publications tackling issues in civic service, faith, leadership, and education.
