“I’m learning in life that sometimes to lift everyone up, you first have to let everyone down.”
Laban Johnson
The essence of this quote encapsulates the very core of leadership and strategic change. To ensure long-term collective growth, sometimes short-term setbacks are unavoidable. However, introducing change or a new approach without complete transparency can be challenging, especially when strategic decisions are guarded due to competitive implications.
But how does one navigate this tightrope?
Short-term Pain for Long-term Gain Change, especially one veiled in secrecy, is often met with resistance. Imagine introducing a new business model without revealing its complete blueprint. Initial resistance and confusion are only natural. However, this short-term ambiguity can lead to long-term benefits, much like the temporary dip in productivity when integrating a new workflow, which eventually results in a significant rise.
The Silent Strategy Sometimes the vision or the big “why” behind the change can’t be disclosed due to competitive reasons. For instance, Apple, before launching the iPhone, worked in utmost secrecy. Many team members didn’t even know what they were working on but trusted the vision and leadership of Steve Jobs. This trust resulted in a product that revolutionized the mobile industry.
Strategies for Leading with Partial Vision
Partial Transparency: Share the broader objectives or values guiding the decision without diving into specifics.
Reinforce Trust: Lean on past successes and the built trust, emphasizing the necessity for the current path.
Highlight the Constants: Amidst change, remind the team of the values and goals that remain unchanged.
Maintain an Open Door Policy: Even when you can’t disclose everything, being available for discussions helps.
Celebrate Short-Term Wins: Keep the morale high with celebrations of small victories.
Regular Check-ins: Periodically engage with your team, gauging their morale and addressing concerns.
One notable anecdote that comes to mind is the story of the “skunkworks” team at Lockheed Martin. This team worked on secret projects, often without knowing the broader implications of their tasks. Yet, their work led to innovations like the U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird aircraft. They trusted the vision, even when it was shrouded in mystery.
The Military Angle: Secrecy as a Necessity
When examining the art of leadership under secrecy and ambiguity, the military offers a masterclass. Every operation hinges on several principles of security, be it Operation Security (OPSEC), Information Security (INFOSEC), and a myriad of other “Sec’s.” These principles are not just guidelines but lifelines, ensuring both the success of missions and the safety of personnel.
At the heart of these principles lies the “need-to-know” basis. Unlike corporate scenarios where secrecy is often about maintaining a competitive edge, in the military, it’s often about life and death.
For instance, during the planning and execution of Operation Neptune Spear – the mission to capture Osama bin Laden – only a tight circle within the U.S. military and government knew of the operation’s full scope. Even many who were part of the operation were only given details pertinent to their specific tasks. This level of compartmentalization ensured operational integrity and minimized risks.
But how do you lead effectively when many of those you command don’t have the complete picture? And what can leaders in other sectors learn from this?
1. Emphasize the Importance of Secrecy: In military operations, understanding the grave implications of breaches can motivate adherence to secrecy. In the corporate world, while stakes might be different, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality can be equally vital.
2. Train for Ambiguity: Military personnel are often trained to operate effectively even when they don’t have all the information. They trust the chain of command and focus on their immediate tasks. Similarly, equipping teams with the skills to act decisively in the face of ambiguity can be a valuable asset.
3. Build a Culture of Trust: The military emphasizes trust, cohesion, and camaraderie. When you trust the person beside you and above you, you can operate effectively even with limited information.
4. Stress the Bigger Picture: While every individual might not know the specifics of an operation, understanding the broader goal – be it national security or corporate success – can be a unifying factor.
Conclusion
From the boardroom to the battlefield, the principles of leading under secrecy bear striking parallels. Whether it’s launching a groundbreaking product or planning a covert operation, the essence remains: Trust your team, equip them for ambiguity, emphasize core values and always keep an eye on the bigger picture. In doing so, leaders can navigate the complex tapestry of strategy, secrecy, and success.
When faced with the challenge of lifting everyone up after letting them down, remember that the ultimate goal is growth. As leaders, our journey is punctuated with decisions that might not always be popular but are crucial for the broader vision. Embracing the challenge and navigating it with empathy and strategy is the hallmark of visionary leadership.
Laban Johnson is a seasoned entrepreneur and polymath, leaving a trail of impact in every endeavor. With over 25 years of diverse experience in businesses of all sizes, local governments, the military, and non-profits, Laban has accumulated a wealth of skills in business administration, risk management, internet marketing, and more. As the founder of LJLearn.com, Laban channels his expertise into making quality educational resources accessible to all, empowering individuals and businesses alike to unlock their full potential.
His rich background as a business administrator, project portfolio manager, risk analyst, life coach, and financial advisor has sharpened his ability to tackle challenges head-on. A proud founder of ONPASSIVE and a philanthropist at heart, Laban is dedicated to revolutionizing businesses in the digital age while making a tangible positive impact on society. Through LJ Group and LJ Learn, he curates and shares the most valuable of his experiences, ensuring his clients achieve unparalleled success.
The essence of this quote encapsulates the very core of leadership and strategic change. To ensure long-term collective growth, sometimes short-term setbacks are unavoidable. However, introducing change or a new approach without complete transparency can be challenging, especially when strategic decisions are guarded due to competitive implications.
But how does one navigate this tightrope?
Short-term Pain for Long-term Gain
Change, especially one veiled in secrecy, is often met with resistance. Imagine introducing a new business model without revealing its complete blueprint. Initial resistance and confusion are only natural. However, this short-term ambiguity can lead to long-term benefits, much like the temporary dip in productivity when integrating a new workflow, which eventually results in a significant rise.
The Silent Strategy
Sometimes the vision or the big “why” behind the change can’t be disclosed due to competitive reasons. For instance, Apple, before launching the iPhone, worked in utmost secrecy. Many team members didn’t even know what they were working on but trusted the vision and leadership of Steve Jobs. This trust resulted in a product that revolutionized the mobile industry.
Strategies for Leading with Partial Vision
One notable anecdote that comes to mind is the story of the “skunkworks” team at Lockheed Martin. This team worked on secret projects, often without knowing the broader implications of their tasks. Yet, their work led to innovations like the U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird aircraft. They trusted the vision, even when it was shrouded in mystery.
The Military Angle: Secrecy as a Necessity
When examining the art of leadership under secrecy and ambiguity, the military offers a masterclass. Every operation hinges on several principles of security, be it Operation Security (OPSEC), Information Security (INFOSEC), and a myriad of other “Sec’s.” These principles are not just guidelines but lifelines, ensuring both the success of missions and the safety of personnel.
At the heart of these principles lies the “need-to-know” basis. Unlike corporate scenarios where secrecy is often about maintaining a competitive edge, in the military, it’s often about life and death.
For instance, during the planning and execution of Operation Neptune Spear – the mission to capture Osama bin Laden – only a tight circle within the U.S. military and government knew of the operation’s full scope. Even many who were part of the operation were only given details pertinent to their specific tasks. This level of compartmentalization ensured operational integrity and minimized risks.
But how do you lead effectively when many of those you command don’t have the complete picture? And what can leaders in other sectors learn from this?
1. Emphasize the Importance of Secrecy: In military operations, understanding the grave implications of breaches can motivate adherence to secrecy. In the corporate world, while stakes might be different, emphasizing the importance of confidentiality can be equally vital.
2. Train for Ambiguity: Military personnel are often trained to operate effectively even when they don’t have all the information. They trust the chain of command and focus on their immediate tasks. Similarly, equipping teams with the skills to act decisively in the face of ambiguity can be a valuable asset.
3. Build a Culture of Trust: The military emphasizes trust, cohesion, and camaraderie. When you trust the person beside you and above you, you can operate effectively even with limited information.
4. Stress the Bigger Picture: While every individual might not know the specifics of an operation, understanding the broader goal – be it national security or corporate success – can be a unifying factor.
Conclusion
From the boardroom to the battlefield, the principles of leading under secrecy bear striking parallels. Whether it’s launching a groundbreaking product or planning a covert operation, the essence remains: Trust your team, equip them for ambiguity, emphasize core values and always keep an eye on the bigger picture. In doing so, leaders can navigate the complex tapestry of strategy, secrecy, and success.
When faced with the challenge of lifting everyone up after letting them down, remember that the ultimate goal is growth. As leaders, our journey is punctuated with decisions that might not always be popular but are crucial for the broader vision. Embracing the challenge and navigating it with empathy and strategy is the hallmark of visionary leadership.
Related posts:
labanjohnson
Laban Johnson is a seasoned entrepreneur and polymath, leaving a trail of impact in every endeavor. With over 25 years of diverse experience in businesses of all sizes, local governments, the military, and non-profits, Laban has accumulated a wealth of skills in business administration, risk management, internet marketing, and more. As the founder of LJLearn.com, Laban channels his expertise into making quality educational resources accessible to all, empowering individuals and businesses alike to unlock their full potential. His rich background as a business administrator, project portfolio manager, risk analyst, life coach, and financial advisor has sharpened his ability to tackle challenges head-on. A proud founder of ONPASSIVE and a philanthropist at heart, Laban is dedicated to revolutionizing businesses in the digital age while making a tangible positive impact on society. Through LJ Group and LJ Learn, he curates and shares the most valuable of his experiences, ensuring his clients achieve unparalleled success.