Comments on New Paradigms LLC: Why We Build Lighthouses

Mark-I like this use of the lighthouse. In the pas...

2008-11-16T20:29:00.000-08:00

Mark-

I like this use of the lighthouse. In the past I have thought of the lighthouse as being what it is, a beacon, a finite point in space that defines a destination. A metaphor for our future end-state.

"Where are we going?"
"To the lighthouse."

Easily understood and articulated, the lighthouse defines success and gives a measure of safety and confidence.

The lighthouse defines the commander's intent, the "after the smoke clears, what should this battlefield look like? what should have taken place?" The lighthouse helps us define our strategy, our BIG BLUE ARROW of direction.

In your words, the lighthouse provides CLARITY. And clarity is something every leader is responsible to provide and every teammate needs to have in order to navigate troubled waters.

Thanks for the great post Mark, and thanks for the invitation to pitch in,

Check Six,

Boom

The “lighthouse” concept requires that leaders put...

2008-09-23T14:25:00.000-07:00

The “lighthouse” concept requires that leaders put their egos aside and that followers are empowered to take ownership. I know for myself that I believed in the power of “me” and that this line of thinking will hinder the growth, sustainability and future of CASA. I must move from being an island to becoming a lighthouse. I must acknowledge that and understand that the transformation is not isolated to my personal growth but must permeate to those who surround me. I believe you are on to something with the “lighthouse” concept.It is definitely worth exploring and throwing out there to the world.

Thanks to all of you. Just great!Regards,Ricardo

2008-09-18T02:55:00.000-07:00

Thanks to all of you. Just great!

Regards,
Ricardo

Dear Mark,What a beautiful analogy.I remember you ...

2008-08-29T10:33:00.000-07:00

Dear Mark,

What a beautiful analogy.

I remember you saying elsewhere that in being a lighthouse you are not holding people's hand and brining them to shore, you are giving them direction, a point of reference but they still need to sail their own ship.

I like that a lot. I think we tend to take responsibility away from managers and employees by making choices for them and giving them the answers. If we do, however will they master learning how to make decisions?

On the other hand, if they try to learn without a point of reference they may have a weak feedback loop and learning may be in the wrong direction (false conclusions).

I think a lighthouse is just the right balance: standing there for a constant sense of direction and as a reality check, but letting sailors learn how to navigate by their own senses.

Thank you for a wonderful post.

Reut

This is really good. Again you touch on what is re...

2008-08-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

This is really good. Again you touch on what is really important and that is trust. But how do you build that trust? It comes from clarity. This is a perfect example of my current situation. I have a new boss, and he is still learning how to manage and lead people. There is not always clarity. Clarity on expectations or clarity on the “how” or “what.” Because there is this lack of clarity, I am cautions on sometimes what I say, or what information I provide. And I do that because there is not this trust build. I don’t have clarity on his motivation or agenda, which in turn, causes me to tread softly on certain things.

This is great Mark,The analogy of the lighthouse i...

2008-08-28T18:12:00.000-07:00

This is great Mark,

The analogy of the lighthouse is very rich! May I offer that the clarity piece (a form of light) is essential to staying on the path we were created for, the one we were designed to take. The more clarity we have in our life, about our core being or essence of true self, the brighter the path.