It's the Customer, Stupid!: 34 Wake-up Calls to Help You Stay Client-Focused

Chapter 32. Client-Driven Leadership Is About Removing Roadblocks

Rule 29

"Leaders aren't afraid to take a big step if one is necessary—because you can't cross a river in two steps."

Professional speaker Joel Weldon, CPAE, is fond of saying, "You can eat an elephant if you'll do it one bite at a time." That is, even the biggest, most daunting projects are doable if we can break them down in more manageable steps. Successful leaders know how to compartmentalize issues and sort out projects one step at a time.

They are also aware of the fact that you can't possibly know every single step of a process in advance; sometimes, you simply have to go with the flow. For example, if you left Florida to drive to southern California and you wanted to make absolutely sure of every street, every turn, every stop, every obstacle . . . you probably would never even leave on such a trip. All the options would literally overwhelm you. On the other hand, if you proceeded on your trip a day at a time, a state at a time, even an hour at a time, the immediate choices would be clearer and you wouldn't find yourself so overwhelmed.

The goal is to isolate the decision, observe all your options, and choose the one that fits the situation best. And remember to take it all one step at a time.

Rule 30

"Customer-driven leaders don't see through others; they see others through."

Lou Holtz, the great college football coach, once made the observation that "When you need love the most is when you get it the least."

Life ...