During a recent facilitation, I shared an insightful metaphor from John Gordon's book The Power of a Positive Team: the concepts of the ‘Telescope and Microscope’. Together, these metaphors represent two different and complementary perspectives on planning and implementation within a team or organization. The ‘telescope and microscope’ emphasize the importance of balancing strategic, long-term planning with tactical, short-term actions. They suggest that success requires not only having a clear vision of what you want to achieve (telescope) but also paying attention to, and effectively managing, the detailed work required to get there (microscope). This balance helps teams stay motivated and focused—ensuring they can navigate challenges while making consistent progress toward their goals.
Posted by TheLeaderNetwork Co-Founder Jim Best