New Post (188): Forest versus trees.
If you want to position yourself as a high-status individual with the capacity to lead, know that: Power comes from abstraction, not just from facts.
Abstract thinkers feel less constrained by details and prefer higher-power roles.
Abstract thinking broadens options, while thinking concretely is more likely to make people discouraged.
So, if you want to take a step up, envision advancing the company’s wider game plan, and leave the bean counting to others.
The key to making big moves is thinking in terms of why (insights & strategy) rather than how (implementation).
“When you’re going through your to-do list, think about the higher-level goals each action serves.”
I often find myself reluctant to give my clients concrete advice, because I feel it could be limiting, and less powerful than the advice they give themselves. Better to ask them questions to see if they can come up with their own effective answer before I start feeding them mine.
It’s often a good idea for a consultant to describe the big picture his client is in and why they should listen before he or she jumps into the facts and figures.
The power speech begins with a wide angle shot, then zooms in for the close up, then zooms out to mid-range
In a way, the mind is like a camera. It can zoom in and look at detail, or it can zoom out and see the big picture.
The really powerful lenses and minds can do both. See both the forest and the trees.
Charlie Brown
