Want to be more strategic in 2016? Start thinking like a drone.

It’s easy to get stuck trying to find our way out of the wilderness every day. T ry this approach to gain perspective and think more strategically.

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They say more than a million drones were sold over the Christmas holiday.

Some for fun, some for mischief … but many offering innovative solutions for a wide array of challenges.

They’re being used to check ski slopes for snow coverage … to look for cracks and repair requirements at the top of wind turbines … and to accomplish video rooftop inspections to save thousands of hours and complete repairs more quickly.

If you don’t have a drone …

Maybe Santa left your drone off his list? No worries. You can add it to your birthday list when the time comes around.

In the meantime, there is one critical lesson you can take away from all of the hullabaloo around this revolutionary invention.

[pullquote]To change ourselves effectively, we first have to change our perceptions.

~Stephen R. Covey, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People[/pullquote]

Think like a drone

I doubt if there is a single leader I have worked with who, somewhere along the way, hasn’t heard me talk about this concept …

Elevate and Extend

It’s a phrase I’ve adopted to remind you to pull your head out of your … hmmm, let’s see … paperwork and myriad details surrounding you … because …

You won’t find solutions by looking down … staying heads-down in the details of your daily routine … swaggering through the trenches … unless you change your perspective.

Nope. You only achieve your goals by rising up … elevating above the daily grind … and extending your view over a wider territory to see how everything fits together for the success of your team and organization.

Don’t dwell on the Tactics | Figure out the Strategy

Many leaders struggle to think more strategically. They’re frustrated because it feels like they’re only acting tactically.

They’re focused entirely on Getting Things Done … whatever is on their desk at the moment … rather than getting the Right Things Done to establish a greater level of success for their organization and themselves.

In the words of the firebrand preacher addressing his congregation …. and some popular sportscasters … you need to “Rise-Uppa”.

Think Like a Drone

Rise Up … ELEVATE … to gain a more strategic perspective. Look at your business from 10,000 feet … from 30,000 feet … and see what’s going on around you and how it affects your performance and that of your team and organization.

Once you’ve elevated … EXTEND … broaden your perspective beyond your domain. Consider what’s happening throughout your organization so you don’t miss the connective tissue that holds it all together.

Write this mantra on a sticky note or an index card that’s always visible. If you feel stuck down in the weeds … you’re lacking the perspective necessary to drive your team or organization to greater success, remind yourself of your new mantra.

Think like a Drone.

ELEVATE and EXTEND.

Question: What have you done to elevate your thinking to become more strategic about your business? Why not join the conversation and share your thoughts and comments? You can add your message easily by clicking the link to our Facebook Page or @Exkalibur on Twitter. I visit them every day and look forward to discussing these ideas and concepts with you.

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