Why is “reading a situation” essential in leadership?
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A leader doesn’t just react to events — they interpret them.
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Reading a situation means identifying:
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the key players (allies, opponents, neutrals)
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their interests and motivations
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the context (cultural, economic, emotional, political)
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the weak signals that may foreshadow change.
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🧠 The dimensions of this skill
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Emotional intelligence – sensing people’s emotions, tensions, or motivations.
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Systems thinking – seeing interconnections and understanding ripple effects of decisions.
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Foresight – spotting trends and weighing possible scenarios.
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Adaptability – adjusting one’s leadership style to the context (crisis, negotiation, innovation, etc.).
⚔️ A practical example
A leader who can accurately read a crisis will:
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quickly determine whether the issue is technical, organizational, or human,
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understand the psychological impact on the team,
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decide whether to calm, mobilize, or act decisively.
✅ In summary
Reading a situation is not just about observing; it’s about analyzing, decoding, and anticipating in order to act wisely.
It’s what separates a reactive manager from a strategic leader.
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