Providing value to your organization or team means different things at different times.  In my opinion, an employee is most valuable being a specialist and “doing” things as well as being a strategist and thinking about doing things differently or better.  While I value the specialization of having someone who just sees the nuts and bolts or someone who just sees big picture, these folks may make blind decisions.  What happens if a politician makes promises that are impossible to keep?  Or a worker fails to see to the possibility of innovation?

This yin and yang is sometimes frustrating.  The specialists may feel that they have heard all these big ideas before and that they are a waste of time.  The strategists may feel limited and oppressed by the specialist’s lack of vision.  I don’t think it’s possible to find a 50/50 equilibrium.  But I do encourage strategists to not lose sight of their speciality.  If you know how to do web design or marketing or media relations or whatever you did before…try to find ways to still use these skills.

Tips for the strategist to find and maintain balance:

• Commit to maintain your skill sets.  Don’t lose your aptitude for your specialty just because you were promoted.
• Talk to the people who are specialists.  Especially those who report to you!  Know what is going on in the industry, what the problems are, and what the areas are for improvement.  You might come up with a great idea.
• Cross train employees.  Having your specialists gain a broader perspective for organization functions helps improve workflow and communication.  Again, you may find that ideas are born just from getting another perspective on a project or task.
• Serve as a back up.  When a specialist takes a vacation or is off sick, cover their duties.  This gives you an opportunity to keep your skills sharp and provides a balance to your big picture strategy.  This also helps you maintain relationships with contacts and vendors.

How do you maintain balance in your job between strategy and specialization?  What did I miss? 

Business lessons come in many ways and sick days can somtimes provide necessary reflection time.  In my case, I spent yesterday home sick with my 2 1/2 year old.  This involved lots of educational preschool television, including Dora the Explorer.  Here’s several Dora inspired business lessons:

1. Carry a map.  Strategic planning is important…do you have a plan in place before you begin a new project or venture?  Mapping out the why, how, and what you expect to achieve will help keep you focused and goal-oriented.
2. Ask for help.  Dora frequently asks her friends or the audience for assistance or answers.  Asking for input and getting buyin first makes the process a lot easier.
3. Different languages are to be expected.  I don’t know about you, but I have definitely encountered situations where certain departments seem to speak a totally different language than the other.  Dora speaks both Spanish and English and helps others to see that sometimes you have to learn a little bit of another language to communicate effectively.  So speaking a little IT or policy or marketing is a good thing and makes you a more valuable team player.
4. Swiping is not cool.  Swiper the Fox is always stealing things.  In business, it’s important to be mindful of what belongs to or originates from you.  If you use someone else’s ideas, give them credit and get their permission first.
5. Leadership doesn’t negate teamwork.  Dora may wear the mermaid crown in an episode, but that doesn’t mean she sees herself as better than Boots the monkey.  She is always thankful for her friends and the help they provide her in any adventure.  We have to remember as leaders to foster and encourage our employees and set a positive example of collaboration.

So, what did I miss?  And what business lessons have you learned from other kids shows?