Navigating the grey using executive thinking

UFS recently held its conference for leaders of community banks. Their theme was "Navigating the Grey."  Mike Tenpas, CEO, invited me to this video interview, touching on current issues facing senior executives.

Along the way, Mike and I discuss the unique work of experienced executives, the pursuit of future value, and the difference between managing and leading.

Some of the key points made:

• The difficulty of finding and developing people who can think and problem solve when complexity is involved. This type of thinking and problem solving has several names:  enterprise level thinking, executive thinking, complexity thinking. Whatever its name, it is a key skill for executive leadership.
  
  
• The need to develop long-mid-short term thinking, all present in how we solve problems. And when we do, we need to be able to speak to the top-middle-bottom lines.
  
  
• The specific and current need to solve logistics and supply chain issues in this current business climate. It is a specific example of the need for thinking and solving for complexity.

A practical step in growing the skill of complexity thinking is slowing down the conversation and listening so well to our colleagues that they are confident that their perspectives are understood (listening for comprehension is not the same as agreeing). Listening for comprehension is communication 101 and so needed in any group work scenario. Then, when we are confident we are all in the same conversation and have a full-orbed perspective, we can engage the issue or opportunity we want to address.  In this way we don't have to hold the same meeting multiple times which is costly to any organization.

We conclude with some thoughts on what it means to be individuals as well as embeduals.

The interview was fun to do and I'm pleased that UFS is letting us share the video with you.

-mark l vincent

SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT:  Kristin and I are recruiting a special Maestro-level leaders cohort in partnership with the Christian Leadership Alliance. It is available for non-profit leaders at a special price, and it includes membership in the Alliance.  Navigate here to learn more.  You can sign up by writing directly to me at: marklvincent@maestrolevelleaders.com