The Hidden Risk of Operational Tunnel Vision in Business
Many managers pride themselves on getting things done—delivering results, meeting deadlines, and keeping teams on track. But there's a hidden risk to being too focused on execution: operational tunnel vision.
Operational tunnel vision happens when leaders become so absorbed in day-to-day tasks that they lose sight of broader trends, threats, and opportunities. It’s not laziness—it’s often a byproduct of success. The problem? While you're busy hitting targets, the world around you is shifting. Technologies evolve. Customer needs change. Competitors reimagine the game. And if you’re not watching, your company could become the next Blockbuster or Blackberry—caught off guard by disruption.
The solution isn’t to abandon operations. It’s to balance execution with strategic focus. Great leaders “zoom out” regularly to ask big-picture questions: What’s changing in our industry? Where are we vulnerable? What opportunities are we overlooking? This isn’t just senior leaders either—it’s leaders at all levels.
The solution? Make it a habit to schedule time each week for strategic reflection. Use tools like the GAPS framework (Gather, Analyze, Project, Strategize) to assess what’s coming and how your work aligns. Invite your team to think with you—diverse perspectives often reveal emerging risks and ideas faster.
In today’s fast-moving environment, strategic thinking isn’t optional—it’s essential. If you’re only focused on doing the work, you might miss your chance to evolve with it. Break the tunnel vision. Look up. Think ahead. That’s how you stay relevant—and keep your organization resilient.
If you’d like to learn more about strategic thinking, check out the Twelve Skills brief Mastering Strategic Thinking as well as all of the other Twelve Skills topics.
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