I mentioned a few blogs back that I am working through John Maxwell’s book “How Successful People Think”. Cultivate Big-Picture Thinking is the first principle out of eleven in total that he discusses. Here are some highlights of his teaching on the importance of being able to expand your thinking to the Big-Picture level. The chapter opens with some quotes worth remembering.
Where success is concerned, people are not measured in inches, or pounds, or college degrees, or family background; they are measured by the size of their thinking – David Schwartz
You have to think, so why not think big? – Donald Trump
Maxwell stresses that Big-Picture thinkers:
- Learn continually
- Listen intentionally
- Look expansively
- Live completely
Why should we pursue Big-Picture thinking? Maxwell says:
- Big-Picture thinking allows you to lead
- It helps you to:
- See the vision before the people do
- Size up situations, taking into account many variables
- Sketch a picture of where the team is going
- Show how the future connects with the past to make the journey more meaningful
- Seize the moment when the timing is right
- It helps you to:
- Big-Picture thinking keeps you on target
- Big-Picture thinking allows you to see what others see
- Big-Picture thinking promotes teamwork
- Big-Picture thinking keeps you from being caught up in the mundane
- Big-Picture thinking helps you chart uncharted territory
From reading this chapter you can’t help but asking yourself:
Are you expanding your thinking to see the entire picture?
Are you able to see how today’s results, whether a win or lose, fits into the top level battle plan?
Are you keeping balance between tactical thinking required to get from point A-B and the strategic thinking driving you to reach point Z?
Next time I will share Maxwell’s thoughts on Engaging in Focused Thinking.
Tags: Big Picture, John Maxwell, Leadership, Success, Thinking
