The 9-year-old daughter of a close friend introduced me to a cool, free iPhone application called CamWow. One of the special effects can be seen in this photo of my husband David. I wanted to share this photo because I think it points out what it’s like to be a thought leader. So here goes with a metaphor as stretched as that photo.

A thought leader has to constantly look in two directions – the past and the future – from his/her “seat in the present.” Thought leaders also have to look at both the strategic and the operational aspects of their business simultaneously. Another challenge is that they have to be adept at looking internally and externally at the same time. They have to deal face-to-face in an open manner with their leadership teams, as well as their employees. And finally they have to find a balance in their lives so they need to keep an eye on their personal lives, not just their professional lives.

I’m sure there are even more stretched points to be made, but instead, I’ll pose this question: Are you able to mirror your efforts in these parts of your daily life or is one direction getting more attention than another? Ask, assess, then act. We’re here to help.