Under a brilliant blue sky on a January day, I was reminded of both some of the smartest and some detracting business practices that I observe with clients.

The beatific smiles on the faces of others relishing in the mountain beauty and the exhilaration of the physical pursuit reminded me of those who find joy in their work. They achieve this by seeking opportunities that fuel their passion – working in an industry of interest, seeking challenging opportunities such as M&A or turnarounds or working at companies that are hallmarks of innovation.

The well-groomed trails reminded me of the leaders who regularly evaluate and consider their corporate culture and levels of employee engagement. They assess the environment and make adjustments as the conditions change. They recognize that like the changing weather in the Rockies, business success is never static. These successful leaders keep one eye on the horizon and scan the environment to avoid crevasses and blaze new trails.

My best clients have learned to travel light. Unlike the red-faced couple on the trail, weighed down with heavy backpacks, these leaders move past setbacks and disappointments that would otherwise weigh them down. They address performance gaps; they do not delay. When a project does not achieve its expected ROI or a potential acquisition does not proceed, they are transparent in their disappointment, identify as many of the contributors as possible, and incorporate those learnings into the next opportunity.

The skier stopped in the middle of the trail talking on her cell phone was blocking the way for others and unaware of her surroundings. In the workplace, there are always many potential distractors – from the daily influx of email to competitive pressures, from a plethora of meeting requests to preparing for board meetings.

While grocery retailers were introducing online ordering and customer pickup, Amazon was quietly pursuing Whole Foods, enabling an even more attractive customer offering – groceries delivered right to your cupboards and refrigerator. Like Amazon, many of my successful clients are diligent about staying focused on their 3 key priorities thus ensuring those behind them on the trail can move unencumbered. This prioritized focus also provides them with the capacity to recognize and contemplate strategic opportunities.

Learn more about the traits of highly successful leaders and companies in 360 Degree CEO, Generating Profits while Leading with Passion and Principles, published by Business Expert Press.

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© 2018 Lorraine A. Moore. All rights reserved. Permission granted to excerpt or reprint with attribution.