Charting New Courses :: Trail Blazer Leadership

Craig was frustrated with his job and role as manager. It seemed as if people were either lacking in communication or escalating conflict, and he wondered why it was that when pressure rose everyone in his industry quickly reverted to reducing others to objects, obstacles, or the opposition.

With the encouragement of a colleague from another company and permission from his CEO he decided to be the change he wanted. Starting with his team he researched and pioneered a development program to increase collaboration and communication. This was so effective that it was soon requested by other managers in the company and began to move out to strategic partners and vendors with his business.

Ironically, Craig has no talents in the “people-oriented” CoreClarity quadrants of Connect and Mobilize. He’s a Trail Blazer, the CoreDrill that has their Top 5 talents in the internal Reflect and Energize quadrants.

Trail Blazers are often seen as pioneers, pushing boundaries and boldly leading initiatives that require both intellectual rigor and decisive action. And like Craig, they thrive when given the autonomy to explore new ideas and put them into practice without excessive oversight. As leaders, they set a rapid pace and prefer roles that challenge their intellect and ability to execute. Although not always vocal, they often contribute profound insights when prompted, reflecting their deep internal processing.

The Great Wake of Trail Blazer Leadership

1. Visionary Thinking: They conceptualize innovative ideas and are unafraid to explore uncharted territories.
2. Decisive Action: Their ability to quickly transition from planning to execution makes them reliable when fast decisions are needed.
3. Intellectual Rigor: They engage deeply with complex topics and bring thoughtful analysis to problem-solving.
4. Self-Motivation: Highly driven from within, they sustain momentum even when others lose focus.
5. Resilience: When faced with setbacks, they adapt and press forward without losing sight of their objectives.

Potential Rough Wakes of Trail Blazers

1. Lack of External Awareness: Trail Blazers may overlook relational cues and fail to engage others effectively, leading to perceived aloofness.
2. Impatience with Group Processes: They may grow frustrated with slower team dynamics or consensus-building.
3. Isolation: Their independent approach can result in working in silos or neglecting collaborative opportunities.
4. Difficulty Motivating Others: While self-driven, they may struggle to rally team enthusiasm or build widespread buy-in.
5. Communication Gaps: Their preference for thought over talk can cause them to seem distant or disinterested.

As leaders, Trail Blazers like Craig bring invaluable energy, vision, and intellectual depth to boldly go where others fear to tread, making them powerful catalysts for innovation, solutions, or research. However, they must intentionally and continually develop interpersonal skills and remain mindful of how their independent focus impacts team cohesion. Encouraging collaboration and proactively seeking input from others will enhance their leadership effectiveness.