The Map Is Not the Territory
I am a planner. Whether it’s my workweek, content strategies or business roadmaps I love to prepare. But when things don’t go according to plan I used to feel unproductive – after all I had built what I thought was the perfect plan.
Here’s the reality: just because I’ve mapped out a content or thought leadership strategy doesn’t mean it’s the right one. This is where the mental model The Map Is Not the Territory comes in.
What Is Inversion Thinking?
This mental model highlights the gap between our perception (the map) and reality (the territory). It reminds thought leaders that no matter how well researched or well planned a strategy is it’s only an approximation of reality.
The landscape changes. New insights emerge. Market dynamics shift. An approach that worked for you last year may not work this year.
Looking at Things From the Other Side
A study by Harvard Business Review found 70% of strategic initiatives fail due to poor execution and lack of adaptability. Thought leaders who hold too tightly to their original content strategies miss critical opportunities to pivot or refine their messaging.
In an era where ideas move at lightning speed acknowledging your “map” isn’t perfect and being willing to redraw it is the key to sustained influence and relevance.
How to Apply It to Thought Leadership
Say your content strategy has been focused on one trend – perhaps an industry shift or technology. But then a new paradigm emerges. Instead of sticking rigidly to your old narrative ask yourself: What’s changed? What new insights do I have? How can I contribute to the current conversation?
Adjusting your thought leadership approach to the current reality means you stay at the forefront of the industry conversation and keep providing value to your audience.
Ask Yourself:
- Am I too attached to my original messaging or framework?
- How accurate is my “map” of the industry today?
- What emerging data, trends or audience feedback am I ignoring?
- Where can I pivot to stay ahead of the conversation?Be flexible and willing to redraw your “map” and you’ll be a thought leader for the long haul. The most influential voices aren’t the ones who got it right from the start – they’re the ones who changed when the reality changed.