The following are five questions leaders need to be constantly asking about the expansion or contraction of their leadership influence:
Alaska Is Growing
The United States State Department reported in this article that the state of Alaska, already America’s largest state, has grown by a million additional square miles. This 60% growth is the result of a redefinition of how far the continental shift extends under water.
Mead Treadwell, a former Alaska lieutenant governor and former chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission, said, “America is larger than it was yesterday. It’s not quite the Louisiana Purchase. It’s not quite the purchase of Alaska, but the new area of land and subsurface resources under the land controlled by the United States is two Californias larger.”
The state of Alaska is always looking for new territory. As a leader, are you constantly looking for marginal gains, distressed assets others overlook, or creative opportunities like underwater plots of land to expand your influence?
Understanding Success
Most teams and organizations do not know why they win or lose. Case in point:
The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Baltimore Ravens 17-10 in the recent AFC Championship game. But at closer inspection, the Ravens lost the game more than the Chiefs won it. Let me explain.
The Ravens had two turnovers in the Chiefs’ end zone negating 14 possible points. But worse was their highly criticized game plan. The Ravens were the NFL’s top running offense this year. Its running back Gus Edwards had 198 rushing attempts for 810 yards and 13 touchdowns. His first carry of the game was for 15 yards. Everything looked like another day at the office for the Ravens offense. But he only had two carries the remainder of the game.
The Ravens did not play to their strengths.
At the highest levels, most games, contracts, sales presentations, and relationships are more lost than won.
Leaders, do you know why you and your organization are successful? If so, are you continually playing to your strengths?
Caitlin Clark
Caitlin Clark is a phenomenal basketball player and generational talent for the Iowa Hawkeyes. The impact of her playing career extends far beyond the court and she is reaping the financial benefits.
Sara Gotfredson, founder of the Trailblazing Sports Group, said in this article, “I think she just connects with her fan base. The story of her roots in Iowa, about her growing up and playing basketball since she was four—she just has this connection and this joy that she brings to the court. She seems to really enjoy playing for all these fans. You’ve seen those stories where she stayed until the last person (who wanted an autograph got one), when there was a line wrapped around whatever building she was in. There’s a sense of connection that fans feel with her, and I think that does separate female athletes from some male athletes. When athletes can find that genuine connection with fans, when they feel relatable to them off the field—that to me is the magic that happens, when you think about how to tap into that as a brand and as a partner.”
