Small Things Matter
On occasion I get pushback from people who say that I sweat the small stuff too much.
Leaders do the big things, others take care of the small stuff, is what I am told.
Such a view is, of course, right and wrong.
It depends—like most things in life—it depends on the context.
There are many examples we could wade through that illustrate the importance of paying attention to the details—to attend to the small stuff that often turn out to be bigger than we first imagine.
It is ‘the detail’ that separates excellence from mediocrity. It is the small matters taken care of that help us to go further, to do more, to be better.
- There are the infinitesimal details involved in the launch procedure of the fastest 100 metre runners—every 100th of a second counts at the end.
- What about the fine finishing details on the most exotic pair of handcrafted brogues that add another $1,000 to the price.
- Or a surgeon who reconstructs the face of a burn victim to leave not a scar.
We might also consider how the small amounts add up by examining the ‘miracle’ of compound interest on a money investment; or even the accumulation of knowledge by learning one new thing every day…
Of course, we could go back to the Alpha Programme and review the imperative for an Influential Leader to be strategic (to construct and execute the long game) and develop and align the operational and tactical elements in support of the strategy.
Remember, small does not imply unimportant!
To illustrate the point that everything matters, small things too, I share a personal story.
Such a view is of course right, and wrong.
It depends—like most things in life—it depends on the context.
There are many examples we could wade through that illustrate the importance of paying attention to the details—to attend to the small stuff that often turn out to be bigger than we first imagine.
It is ‘the detail’ that separates excellence from mediocrity. It is the small matters taken care of that help us to go further, to do more, to be better.
- There are the infinitesimal details involved in the launch procedure of the fastest 100 metre runners—every 100th of a second counts at the end.
- What about the fine finishing details on the most exotic pair of handcrafted brogues that add another $1,000 to the price.
- Or a surgeon who reconstructs the face of a burn victim to leave not a scar.
We might also consider how the small amounts add up by examining the ‘miracle’ of compound interest on a money investment; or even the accumulation of knowledge by learning one new thing every day…
Of course, we could go back to the Alpha Programme and review the imperative for an Influential Leader to be strategic (to construct and execute the long game) and develop and align the operational and tactical elements in support of the strategy.
Remember, small does not imply unimportant!
To illustrate the point that everything matters, small things too, I share a personal story.
On a late afternoon, as a group of us prepared for a nighttime low-level helicopter flight, one of my companions expressed his nervousness about the operation, his first of the kind.
I tried to convince him that the area between us and the destination was fairly flat and no doubt familiar to the pilot.
We would be fine.
Another colleague, a seasoned chap, overhearing the conversation smiled and said we should be more concerned about the ‘Jesus Nut’ than flying into something.
Who? What?
At first, I thought he was referring to a nutter, you know, a crazy person we would have on board with us. There were some of those around!
Through his grin the chap told us about ‘the nut’.
He said something like, ‘Don’t worry about hills or tall trees. The pilot will take care of those, even if the radar is switched off. Be terrified that the Jesus Nut—the small nut that holds the main rotor onto the shaft—has been serviced and secured properly….’
He held his hand out, ‘Yep, as big as this. Holds the whole thing together. Rotor off, woosh…we all go to be with Jesus.’
I am sure that there are many mechanical and electronic devices on a helicopter that might fail and lead to a crash, but this particular item is known for its importance in keeping the integrity of the machine in one piece.
Since the cited conversation I have discovered that it is very rare for Jesus Nuts to fail. I am sure it is because they are so vital to safety that they are designed with great care, manufactured with the best materials, and installed with due diligence.
There are Jesus Nuts throughout our lives—things that might seem small and insignificant, until they fail. And, when they fail it we might be far along our life journey, without us being able to recover our flight path.
Yes, there are many small things we should not sweat over, even if they matter in a general sense, but there are some ‘small things’ that are material; they are a big deal. They matter.
Influential Leadership provides us with the capability to identify these small, yet significant things, so we can take care of them in good time.
This is an Apex Skill.
As you tackle your new week, be conscious of each Leadership Moment, and take care of your Jesus Nuts.
Regards,
Colin @ Karoo
We Activate Apex Skills!
Leadership Weekly Note: 2024.130524
e: colind@karoo.world
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