Good leaders fail after they chase signs, not root causes. Uncover how consciousness helps groups resolve actual issues and enhance efficiency.
In the present day’s visitor submit is by Sean Glaze, creator of What Efficient Leaders DO.
Even probably the most clever and well-intentioned leaders can get caught.
They work onerous. They reply shortly. They troubleshoot continually. However regardless of their effort, their groups nonetheless underperform, communication breaks down, and morale dips.
And right here’s why…
They’re fixing the fallacious issues.
In What Efficient Leaders DO, a management parable I wrote to assist managers like Jenn uncover the sensible habits that result in actual staff progress, one lesson stands out as a strong early turning level in her story:
Probably the most damaging problem in your staff is the one that you just haven’t addressed.
However most leaders by no means understand what that problem is—as a result of they haven’t realized the essential management ability of consciousness.
The Hidden Lure of Symptom-Chasing
You’re acquainted with it.
A teammate misses a gathering. Venture deadlines slip. Communication is tense. Individuals appear checked out. So that you reply by making use of strain, including one other assembly, revisiting insurance policies, or sending a reminder e mail.
However right here’s the issue: these are signs, not root causes.
Like Jenn within the guide, many leaders react to surface-level points with out understanding the true leak beneath.
In her case, a literal leak—the busted water line behind her fridge—was flooding her dwelling. Nevertheless it wasn’t till Tony, the plumber (and surprising management mentor), identified the deeper problem that the true answer grew to become clear.
That is the very same mistake many managers make day by day:
They mistake proof of an issue for the precise downside.
And whenever you chase signs, you waste time, exhaust your self, and frustrate your staff—with out ever really fixing something.
Why Consciousness Is a Superpower
Consciousness will not be a buzzword. It’s a ability. And it’s the muse of each different management power.
It’s what helps you see past the noise and see the patterns, behaviors, or beliefs which are really driving your staff’s challenges.
Consciousness is what turns frustration into focus.
Consciousness is what transforms effort into affect.
Consciousness is what separates leaders who react from those that resolve.
However right here’s the reality that many don’t need to admit:
Expertise alone doesn’t make you efficient. Consciousness does.
You possibly can lead for years with out ever rising should you’re not reflecting on what’s actually occurring—or why.
Which brings us to some of the helpful instruments I’ve ever seen to assist leaders shift their perspective and elevate their affect to construct a extra productive office…
The Ladder of Consciousness: A Instrument for Smarter Leadership
Tony, Jenn’s surprising mentor in What Efficient Leaders DO, introduces a deceptively easy visible that reshapes how leaders perceive—and resolve—issues:
The Ladder of Consciousness
It has 4 ranges:
1. Unaware
You don’t know there’s an issue but. Every little thing appears high-quality—till it’s not.
2. Symptom Conscious
You discover the results: missed deadlines, battle, turnover, disengagement. However you don’t know what’s behind them.
3. Downside Conscious
You dig deeper. You uncover the foundation trigger—lack of readability, poor communication norms, unstated expectations, worry of battle, or one thing else.
4. Answer Conscious
Now you’ll be able to act deliberately. You focus your time and power on options that repair the proper issues.
Jenn’s water leak wasn’t mounted by changing carpet or mopping the ground.
It was solved by discovering the kinked copper pipe that had been broken when somebody unknowingly shoved the fridge too far again.
Likewise, the “leaks” in your staff—missed handoffs, low engagement, excessive turnover—received’t get higher with floor fixes.
They’ll solely enhance whenever you determine the precise supply of the problem.
And to do this, you must climb the ladder.
From Pissed off to Centered: Making use of This in Every day Interactions
So how do you’re taking this idea from concept to follow?
Listed below are 5 methods to make use of the Ladder of Consciousness to construct a sticky tradition right now:
1. Get Curious Earlier than Getting Essential
When one thing goes fallacious, ask:
“What might be causing this that I haven’t noticed yet?”
Resist the urge in charge. As a substitute, look deeper. Each habits has a backstory.
2. Make Time for Statement
Efficient leaders don’t simply reply—they discover.
Schedule time to mirror. Observe interactions. Hearken to what isn’t being stated.
3. Search for Patterns, Not Simply Incidents
Is that this a one-time problem or half of a bigger sample?
If three staff members appear unmotivated, the issue possible isn’t them. It’s one thing within the surroundings or management method.
4. Ask Questions That Reveal, Not Simply Restore
As a substitute of “Why are you late again?” ask:
“What’s getting in the way of being fully present or on time right now?”
Consciousness comes from inquiry, not accusation.
5. Revisit the Ladder Weekly
Decide one irritating problem. Stroll it up the ladder:
- Are you simply seeing the symptom?
- Have you ever named the true downside?
- Is your answer focusing on the foundation or simply the residue?
It’s a easy however transformative shift that creates actual progress.
Need Higher Outcomes? Construct Higher Consciousness
Jenn’s journey in What Efficient Leaders DO begins with frustration—however evolves into readability, confidence, and affect.
Yours can too.
Nevertheless it begins with admitting that what you’re seeing is probably not the true problem. That you simply is perhaps fixing leaks with towels as an alternative of turning off the water.
If you turn out to be extra conscious, you turn out to be simpler.
Sean Glaze is a sought-after management and office tradition speaker, who gained precious insights on turning expertise into teamwork as a profitable basketball coach – and now he travels across the nation to share these actionable classes. Sean’s participating convention management keynotes and customized staff constructing packages have helped shoppers like Cisco, John Deere, the CDC, and Emory College to extend collaboration, enhance productiveness, and construct Sticky Cultures that encourage extra worthwhile teamwork. Sean’s books, Fast Teamwork, What Efficient Leaders DO, The ten Commandments of Successful Teammates, and Staying Coachable are entertaining parables that speed up the expansion of leaders and groups!
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