#3 The trail runner

This mental model is about my personal leadership philosophy. 🎓

We are all leaders from time to time.

We might be leading a multi-billion dollar company, a group of friends, a nation or our children. Regardless of the scope, leadership is always challenging.

Do you agree that we are all leaders? Do you agree that leadership is difficult?

If so, you must agree that we could all benefit from reflecting on, and crafting, our own individual leadership styles.

Well, I have reflected and crafted so here is your chance to piggyback or be inspired.

“If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.” – Henry Ford

My leadership philosophy can be explained as a trail runner creating a new trail by clearing the path and marking trees along the way. 🚩

When finished, she makes sure that other runners know about it. 📣

At tomorrow’s race she will run in the front, spearheading the way. 🏃‍♀️

She will stop only to make sure that everyone is following.

If there is a treacherous root on the path, she removes it. If another runner is struggling, she encourages him. She carries an infinite amount of water bottles in her backpack, ready to hand out to fellow runners when needed.

The trail runner is of course not a perfect analogy but I still like it.

More specifically, my philosophy can be summarised in a “simple” 2x5 framework.

Here is how I think about it. 👇

Tell people which direction we are going. ↗️

📌 Do this by:

1. Transparent & inclusive reasoning — Encourage open conversations. Involve the team and listen to their thoughts. Be open to course corrections if needed.

2. Continuous repetition — Say where we are going and say it again.

3. Leading by example — Walk the talk. Let actions show the way.

4. Providing honest feedback and appreciation — Feedback fosters reinforcement learning. Provided in the right way, it is also contagious and will spread.

5. Scaling communication — Combine words, visuals and activities to deeply anchor the message. Share assets and inspire others to retell and spread.

1. Anchoring the purpose — Good intent attracts good people. Be in it for the right reasons and others will be too.

2. Aligning incentives — Make sure that there are rewarding incentives for everyone to move in the right direction. Aligned incentives cement directions.

3. Promoting autonomy — Autonomy is a prerequisite for high velocity. However, it requires confidence and psychological safety. Nurture that culture.

4. Teaching useful tools — Creative discovery processes, decision making logic, prioritization frameworks, communication tips etc. Hand out tools and things will be built.

5. Removing obstacles — Obstacles are everywhere. Inside our heads, within our organisations & externally. Identify them and clear the road.

“Teamwork is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results.” – Andrew Carnegie

1. We are all leaders from time to time.

2. Leadership is difficult so it makes sense to invest some time into it.

3. Be inspired by the trail runner and create your own leadership philosophy.

4. My philosophy is built on a clear direction and empowerment of the team.

5. Feel free to try my philosophy or reach out to discuss your own!