Acting on a big, audacious goal or vision can be intimidating.
Staring at the mountain and deciding where to begin the trek is daunting, even for the best leaders.
Imagining all the steps involved to get there can overload the brain and cause avoidance.
Instead of asking “Where to start?” it is much easier to overplan without taking any action.
If you or anyone you know commonly puts off diving into a big project or vision, you aren’t alone. Delaying the start date and getting everything set is much easier than diving in.
Sometimes leaders overthink and plan excessively just to avoid taking the first uncomfortable step. When the cost of being wrong is high, procrastination arrives cloaked as “being thoughtful.”
To avoid this inertia, good leaders operate from a motto and a precept. When approaching a massive project, long-range vision, or game-changing initiative, the best leaders Think Big, Build Small.
The idea of holding an ambitious vision while making progress through small, concrete actions is a touchstone of highly productive leaders.
This approach helps leaders to separate direction and execution, allowing the brain to gain a foothold from which to take the first step.
Thinking big means articulating the most desirable outcome possible without the fear of failure. Once a bold vision begins to form, leaders should allow themselves to be ambitious without worrying initially about feasibility.
At the point where the vision can be articulated, leaders must quickly get to work translating that vision into immediate small steps or actions. The thought of executing on the first handful of concrete steps makes beginning more appetizing.
That’s what Think Big, Build Small is all about.
The best practice in building small is to focus on what can be completed easily and without external resources.
Initially, leaders must prioritize simplicity over complexity and specific action over process. Designing the steps for the first few days or weeks is how the leader and team cross the line from “not yet started” to “in process.”
Big thinking without building small leads to being overwhelmed, indecision, and perfectionism.
Building small without big thinking can lead to busywork, misalignment, and problematic oversimplification.
The motto reminds a leader to embrace both. Good leaders think big so they know where they’re going. They build small so they actually get there.
