Create the Map!

Human nature is to need a map.  If you’re brave enough to draw one, people will follow.

Seth Godin from Poke the Box

The first thing I do when I’m in a new city is get a map.  I have this desperate need to get my bearings; to understand where I am in relation to everything else.

I’m great friends with the little blue dot on my iphone Google map. 🙂

But I create maps for more than just my physical location.  I create maps to guide my life.

Maps chart the course or direction for an individual or group.

I create maps to:

  • organize my day
  • manage a home improvement project
  • provide direction to others
  • create a plan for a big project
  • coach and direct my team
  • provide personal and professional development for our staff

One of the most important things we do as leaders is provide maps.  We set course.  We set direction.

I love Seth’s quote above.  We need maps and we follow the people who create them.

To be a great leader, you have to be brave enough to chart the course – create the map!

Great leaders map it!

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  • @ognicco June 8, 2011  

    For us followers I get a vicarious thrill from following other peoples maps. I guess I just like seeing where others have gone and wonder about what brought them there. I wonder more about the traveler and the adventures in getting there than the actual destination. I’m hopelessly captivated by how peoples minds work!!

  • N.A. Winter June 9, 2011  

    Love this! Thanks for the vivid picture of what it means to be a leader. I think what you said at the beginning about how maps are helpful for you also applies to leadership – it’s not just about charting a course but helping others “get their bearings.” They understand how they relate to the overall direction of the organization when we provide the map. They know not only where we are heading – but how they are going to help us get there.