To lead well, sometimes you need to go off the rails a bit and literally allow things to go off track.
That’s right. When working problems with your team (or on your own), allow things to go off track or in the wrong direction – at least a little. I learned this from a mentor.
Here’s what I gleaned:
You or your team needs to wrestle with the problem. Problems are not solved in a neat, linear
fashion. Sometimes it’s the crazy idea – the one from left field – that changes everything.
Creating space to “go off the rails” can generate some crazy and some amazing ideas.
Some questions to consider:
- Are you being too autocratic, controlling, or holding on too tightly to your thoughts?
- Are you providing yourself or your team time to wrestle with the problem?
- Are you creating a safe place for the crazy ideas?