Cannabis leaders face a constant barrage of emails, meetings, and calls. We are often so inundated with daily tasks that it’s a wonder anything gets accomplished. With our devices permanently in hand, our time is sliced so thinly that finding the focus to develop and execute big-picture strategies feels nearly impossible.
Heike Bruch and Sumantra Ghoshal describe this phenomenon in their book “A Bias for Action,” arguing that “daily routines, superficial behaviors, poorly prioritized or unfocused tasks leech managers’ capacities—making unproductive busyness perhaps the most critical behavioral problem” in business today.
For many cannabis industry leaders, from CEOs of major MSO corporations to solo entrepreneurs who support the industry, there is a significant gap between knowing what needs to be done and actually doing it. This gap, known as the “knowing-doing gap,” was explored by Stanford University researchers Jeffrey Pfeffer and Robert Sutton, who asked, “Why does knowledge of what needs to be done frequently fail to result in action or behavior consistent with that knowledge?”
The answer, according to Bruch and Ghoshal, is simple yet profound—it boils down to willpower. They argue that the problem isn’t just that managers’ time is fragmented, but that their intention or “volition” is as well.
Getting things done requires two critical components: energy and focus. Both are at risk in the modern cannabis workplace. Building a bias for action within yourself and your organization involves developing and reinforcing the skills to become a “purposeful” or “volitional” manager. These are leaders who achieve their objectives by making an unconditional commitment to their goals and leveraging the power of intention to overcome obstacles, whether internal doubts or organizational bureaucracies.
“Purposeful action-taking depends on engaging the power of the will,” Bruch and Ghoshal state. “Willpower galvanizes your mental and emotional energy and enables you to make your intention happen against the most powerful odds, including distractions, temptations, self-doubt, and negativity. Willpower is the force that strengthens your energy and sharpens your focus throughout the action-taking process.”
Bruch and Ghoshal identify four key steps to successfully taking action:
- Form Your Intention: Your goal must appeal to you emotionally and be concrete enough to clearly visualize its success.
- Commit Unconditionally to Your Intention: This critical step creates an irreversible decision to achieve your goal.
- Protect Your Intention: Once committed, you must protect your goal from internal and external forces.
- Disengage from Your Intention: Define your “stopping rules” to know when to walk away and take on the next challenge.
From commitment comes the emotional energy and focus critical to your success. The process of getting things done in business mirrors that in other aspects of life. The only things that get done are those you genuinely believe in and commit to achieving.
Why Invest in Cannabis Education?
Within the cannabis industry, investing in education is paramount. Not only does it elevate industry professionalism, but it also positions leaders to make more informed, effective decisions. One excellent resource for this is our team here at Cannabis Trainers. We offer responsible vendor training and leadership-focused programs to equip industry leaders with the skills they need to succeed.
By prioritizing education and training, cannabis leaders can bridge the “knowing-doing gap,” harnessing their willpower to turn knowledge into actionable strategy. This commitment to continuous learning fosters a culture of excellence, professionalism, and innovation, ensuring the cannabis industry grows responsibly and sustainably.
Conclusion
In the dynamic cannabis industry, willpower is the key to moving from ideas to action. By forming clear intentions, committing to them, protecting them, and knowing when to disengage, leaders can achieve their goals and drive their organizations forward. Investing in cannabis education, like the programs offered by Cannabis Trainers, is a crucial step in professionalizing the industry and empowering its leaders.
Ready to elevate your leadership? Explore the training options available at Cannabis Trainers and take the first step towards becoming a more effective, purposeful leader in the cannabis industry.
Author’s content used under license, © Claire Communications, edited for Cannabis Trainers
