NAVIGATORS IN BOUNDARY-SPANNING ROLES: LEADERSHIP INSIGHTS FROM 12 INTERVIEWS

Abstract

The author, who has had an extensive career as a worldwide business executive and educator, discusses navigation, which in this leadership/organizational context means, in his words, the longing for finding bearings, for seeking sense and direction, and for steering toward safe harbors. The organizational actors in his survey come from Research & Development, Marketing & Sales, and Purchasing & Supply Management. A table provides additional information about the executives, including their organization, industry, and project. A second table provides vignettes from the interviews. He further describes, in his words Sensing—charting the course; Securing—enabling the journey; and Shifting—crossing the finish line. He writes that “matching the triangulated navigation process of sensing, securing and shifting, this skillset can be described by the triadic concept of head, heart and hands.” For instance, within the latter, “navigators personally stay on board, leading by example and with confidence, not taking their hands off until the task is accomplished in full.” He concludes that “considering the increasing volatility and uncertainty of the operating business context as well as the complexity and ambiguity of the respective tasks in boundary-spanning roles, it is high time for business organizations to enable, promote, and reward navigation.”