Focus on the Big Picture

As leaders, one of our key responsibilities is to ensure that our people understand the overarching mission of the organization and are all rowing in the same direction. Our day-to-day role is to look at the work from the macro level, no matter where we are in the leadership hierarchy; however, this can be easier said than done, especially when leaders are faced with the temptation to get lost in the minutiae of the business. There is always pressure to fill out the forms, complete the paperwork, or finish the task.  In my experience, it is critical that a business leader avoid this temptation and instead choose to prioritize the big picture.

In business, the big picture involves the overarching mission and goals of the organization. Not sure where to start? Consider these three questions:

• What are our core values?
• Where is our business aiming to go in the long run?
• What constitutes success?

If you can answer these questions, you should have a good grasp of the big picture in your organization.

I have heard leaders say of their team members: “I’ve explained this to them. What don’t they understand?”. The truth of the matter is that we as human beings retain about ten percent of what we hear a week later – so if you really want your message to sink in, you need to be repetitive. This might feel a bit like raising children but no matter the age, repetition really does get the message across with staying power.

One of the ways to keep your people engaged is to share information about progress toward the organization’s goals. When the workforce on the front lines understands the big picture and is privy to progress reports, they are empowered to see themselves as valued within the organization. In my career, I have learned that engaged employees are more inclined to work diligently and more likely to offer ideas that improve business operations.

At Tractor Supply Company, the focal point of our big picture has always been customer service. In that environment, big picture thinking would involve prioritizing customer needs over perfectly organized shelves. To fuss over the quality of a display would be to get lost in the weeds. Instead, trust your people to do their jobs well and focus your managerial capacity on supporting them. A leader in the Tractor Supply setting would be advised to avoid sweating the small stuff and instead focus on crafting a vision for their store or department that would improve customer experience. This is a macro view of organizational leadership.

Ask yourself: how well is the big picture understood in my workplace? If you can give yourself high marks, then your company is likely headed in the right direction. When the workforce truly grasps the big picture, they – and you – can march in unity toward real success.

published Nashville Business Journal