It’s true that experience is the best teacher and that successful leaders can anticipate obstacles, develop a plan to overcome them, and execute their team’s strategy.
One technique to enhance your instinctual decision-making skill is practicing your Vision. Let me explain: Leaders with a clear vision for the direction of their organization play out their Vision in their quiet times and, in the advanced stages, can feel the emotions associated with getting there.
A study found that individuals who mentally simulate future events are better at making decisions and are more likely to achieve their goals. This is because mental simulation helps individuals to anticipate potential obstacles, evaluate different courses of action, and make sound decisions. “Leadership and Vision” by K.V. Subramanian, published in the Journal of Management Research and Analysis in 2018.
Soon after I joined the Terrace Park Fire Department, a friend asked me how I’d react if the emergency were for a friend or family member. We covered a population of 2,500 friends and neighbors. I hadn’t thought about it.
After that conversation, I made it a habit that when our department did rescue training for fire events or vehicle wrecks, I would picture a specific person I knew as the patient. At first, it was as uncomfortable as it sounds. But ten years later, the training kicked in automatically when we were dispatched to an auto collision – car versus tree on Wooster Pike on a late October weekday afternoon.
As the chief, my job was to be the first fire personnel on the scene and assess the situation, relay the information to the responding units, formulate a plan to mitigate the danger and treat the patients.
When I arrived on this scene, I first noticed the badly damaged car’s engine compartment wrapped around a large Sycamore tree and the airbags deployed. Next, I looked at the police vehicle and saw Officer Michelle standing next to my oldest daughter and her friend.
My heart sank for a moment, but then Allie looked at me and said she was ok. Thankfully, Allie and her friend checked out ok by the EMTs.
As I worked to secure the scene and ensure everyone was safe, I couldn’t help but think back to the many times I had mentally rehearsed emergency scenarios during training with my crew. By visualizing different situations and making other decisions, I had ingrained the practice of worst-case mental rehearsal into my mindset.
Over time, this mental rehearsal became second nature, and when Allie was in the wreck, I was on autopilot. I knew what and how to do it without hesitation or uncertainty. The confidence in my instincts had been reinforced through practice.
This same principle applies to business leadership. By visualizing and rehearsing different scenarios, you can prepare yourself to make sound decisions in uncertainty. Practicing your Vision enhances your intuition and confidence in your instincts when it matters most.
As a leader, it’s your responsibility to anticipate issues that can derail your plan.
It’s equally important to practice your Vision and the positive activities associated with your Vision:
What does your company look like in your Vision?
What is your culture?
What does your team look like? Create a future organizational chart.
How do you define incremental success to get you to your Vision?
What new products or services are critical to your success?
What does your celebration look like?
The lesson I learned that day is one I carry with me daily in leadership. By being intentional upfront and practicing your Vision, you can build confidence in your instincts and be better prepared to lead your team through any challenge.
The Franchise Owner’s Dashboard helps you with each step of the process, from creating your Vision to clarifying and practicing what your Vision looks like to envision how to overcome the obstacles that will pop up.
