Unlock Leadership Possibility and Be the Board

TLDR: Shift your perspective from “piece” to “board” and unlock your leadership potential. This game changing mindset opens up new possibilities and enables creative and transformative leadership.

Reading time: ~3 minutes

Be the board 

It’s easy, as leaders, to see ourselves as chess pieces - pivotal, yes, but ultimately moved by the game's dynamics.

But what if reframed things such that we're not just pieces, but the entire board?

This game-changing idea comes from Rosamund Stone Zander and Benjamin Zander's book, "The Art of Possibility".

The concept of "being the board" invites us to see ourselves as the environment in which all the moves are made - not merely one of the pieces being moved. But the very force that creates the rules of the game.

It can open up endless ways of shaping your business and work in a way that enables creativity and effectiveness like never before.

From Piece to Board

In traditional leadership, the leader is often perceived as the king or queen, directing moves from the top.

But envision yourself as the board, and you'll see leadership from a fresh and empowering perspective.

One that invites new possibility for you, employees, teammates and the business itself.

As the board, you shape the context within which all pieces move. You make the rules and set the playing field.

This is important because it empowers you to create the space that you and those who work with you need to bring their best self to their work.

An Example 

To truly understand and appreciate the "be the board" concept, let's consider a common challenge: improving customer retention rates.

In this situation, viewing yourself as a 'piece' on the chessboard, you might look at this problem and decide to throw more promotions or loyalty programs at your customers.

This solution is like a piece’s next move, reacting to the immediate challenge at hand.

However, with the "being the board" lens, you would step back and look at the whole game, not just your next move.

You would examine the broader environment where your customer interactions take place, rather than zeroing in on individual transactions.

To do this, you might start asking deeper questions:

• Is there an issue with your product or service quality that's making customers look elsewhere?

• Are your customers feeling valued and heard?

• Is your team trained and motivated to deliver exceptional customer service every single time?

• Do you have systems in place to gather and act on customer feedback effectively?

• Does your brand messaging align with your customer’s expectations and experiences?

These questions prompt you to assess and shape the entire playing field. They move you beyond short-term solutions to enhance the overall customer experience, address underlying issues, and proactively create an environment where customers want to stay and grow with your business.

'Being the board' is about transforming the conditions that dictate your moves and those of your team, which in turn influences your customers' moves.

It’s a strategic shift in perspective that can change the game for your business.

How to Become the Board 

Let's break down this abstract concept of 'being the board' into actionable steps, making it easier for you to action.

1. Shift Your Mindset:

Begin by acknowledging that as a leader, you have the ability to shape the environment, not just respond to it. Understand that you're not just a piece in the game reacting to the market dynamics or internal challenges, but the board itself, with the potential to influence the overall dynamics of your business or marketing efforts.

2. Spot Areas for Proactive Change:

Next, reflect on aspects of your leadership or business that are reactive and could benefit from a proactive approach. This could range from client communication practices to product development, from your marketing strategies to internal processes.

For instance, are you merely reacting to customer feedback or are you proactively seeking it out and acting on it to improve your products or services?

3. Make a Plan:

Now that you've identified areas of potential influence, devise a strategy for change. This should be tailored to your unique business needs, but it might include actions like: revising your customer service policies to foster stronger relationships, refining your marketing messages to better align with your audience's values, or implementing regular team brainstorming sessions to spur innovative ideas.

4. Implement and Adjust:

Start implementing your plan. Remember that the shift from being a 'piece' to being the 'board' is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. You'll likely need to make adjustments as you go, learning from each step.

Be patient with yourself and your team during this process. Shifting perspective and implementing changes can take time, but the payoff in terms of enhanced leadership influence and business success can be significant.

Your Action

Reflect on your current leadership approach. Where can you see the potential to "be the board"? Identify one area and take a step towards implementing this change today.

This shift is a practice, a habit to develop. All you need to do is start.

Read this to go deeper: 

The Art of Possibility (Ben Zander and Ros Zander)