The action: Put yourself in the shoes of your boss’ boss. It will give you the bigger picture, and help your manager.

The long-form: In military planning we are taught to take into consideration the mission of not only your unit, but your parent unit and its parent unit. If you are a platoon commander charged with taking a hill, you should also know that you play a key role in your parent unit’s mission to take the junction the hill overlooks, and in turn its parent unit’s mission to secure the entire road.

Thinking two levels up helps you understand your commander’s intent (f40) and gives you room to create plans that serve the overall mission.

By understand your boss’ mission you help your boss succeed. And in most organisations – if your boss succeeds, you succeed.

On a side note: It is also helpful to think two levels down. You should coach your immediate reports, and help in coaching their reports again. But further down is best left to the levels below you.

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